This free online course explores the plants' anatomy, morphology and physiology and their essential role in our lives.

The base of the food chain in nearly all ecosystems is made up of plants, as you may not know. This introductory course on plant science details the plants' anatomy, morphology, and physiology, plus their ecological, economic, and ethnobotanical value. First, we investigate plant evolution and its significance to humans. Then, we study plant life cycles and different plant cell types, including cell walls, parenchyma, and xylem, along with their functions.

Next, the course investigates the primary phases of photosynthesis, the light and dark reactions and the key stages of cellular respiration. Afterwards, we discuss plant genetics and reproduction, learning about plant DNA and the importance of pollination and fertilisation. Plant hormones' vital roles throughout the plant life cycle, alongside diverse tropisms and their underlying triggers, are also addressed.

Finally, we explore the crucial roles of plants in the ecosystem, including climate regulation, habitat provision, and symbiotic relationships. Lastly, we find out how medicinal plants bridge tradition with modern pharmaceuticals, the essence of crops in nutrition and the plants' industrial purposes. This course is ideal for an aspiring botanist, a biology student or someone curious about the plant world. Enrol right away!