Scientific Paper & FrontPage Assignment-6

wb01337_.gif (904 bytes)
Prior Page

Lecture Directory

Discussion

wb01339_.gif (896 bytes)
Next Page

It is a good idea to summarize your most important conclusions from your results.

This can be placed at the end of the Results section OR form the basis of your Discussion.

The ORGANIZATION of the Discussion is Opposite that of the Introduction!

The Discussion proceeds from the
Specific ->
(your most important Results) to the
General
(related plants -> plants in general)

The Discussion is where you present the significance of what you found.

This can be a problem because you are doing a descriptive study.

However, you can make comparisons to textbook structures.

You can compare the tissues & organs of your plant with those of  "Typical Dicots or Monocots".

Sugarcane or Corn would be typical Monocots with Primary Growth.

Ti (Cordyline) or Palm would be typical Monocots with secondary growth.

Sunflower (Helianthus)  or Widelia are good examples of a dicots with little or no Secondary Growth.

Coleus would  be a typical dicot that has Primary & limited Secondary Growth.

Tilia or Oak (Quercus)  are typical dicot stems with extensive secondary growth.

Ecological Significance of Traits

We will devote a considerable effort to the study of Xeromorphic and Hydrtomorphic traits of leaves.

Stems also have xeromorphic & hydromorphic traits as do Roots.

I want you to include observations about these, especially for leaves.

You might say something like this. The presence of a numerous trichomes, thick cuticle, extensive sclerenchyma, and stomatal crypts suggest that the leaves of this plant are adapted to survive in xeric habitats.

Traits that might deter herbivory (i.e. Crystals & Spines) can be discussed .

Important Secretory Structures which might suggest medicinal applications should be discussed.

These can include Epidermal Trichomes, Laticifers

Oil Ducts or Cavities.

WB01344_1.gif (644 bytes)