Assignment Details

Part 1

Plants develop specialized roots, stems, leaves, and flowers to make them better adapted to their environment. People exploit many of these modifications as vegetables. An example of this is the taproot of carrots. The carrot plant stores sugars in the taproot to supply energy for the formation of flowers in later development. People dig up and eat the taproots while the sugar content is still high. Complete the following:

• Describe the anatomy (structure) and physiology (function) of one of your favorite vegetables. Is the structure of your vegetable a modification from the standard root, stem, leaf, or flower?
• Explain how this structure differs from the standard root, stem, leaf, or flower.
• Compare the vegetable that you have chosen, its structure, and its function in the plant with 1 or more of your classmates’ choices.

Part 2

Plants are important for humans in ways other than providing food. Medicines, clothing, beauty, fuel, air quality, building materials, and industrial products are a few of the ways in which humans exploit plants. Complete the following:

• Choose 1 product or benefit that people get from plants (besides food), describe it, and explain how people benefit.
• Which do you think is the most important benefit of plants?

Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list and in-text citations for references used throughout the assignment.

In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion Board. Be sure to compare and contrast your choice to other plants presented by at least two other students by responding to their posts, using “Reply to Message.” You will be graded on the quality of your postings.