Available online
Description
This is an introductory programme about plants and is in three parts. The speakers are Dr. Don Adamson, visiting lecturer in Biology at the Open University, and Stephen Hurry, senior lecturer in Bi...ology at the Open University. Dr. Adamson illustrates some of the adaptations of plants to water and land environments. This is an introduction to the way in which the structure of the plant body is related to its function and how water and land environments impose different constraints. Stephen Hurry, as an aid to home experimental work, demonstrates the technique for cutting thin sections of living plant material for examination with the microscope. He also illustrates the consequences of some common faults and how these may be avoided. Dr. Adamson demonstrates the experimental set-up for an experiment to evaluate the contribution of roots and shoots to water flow through the intact plant. The student is invited to think about the implications of this experiment which records the amount of water moving through an intact plant, through the severed root system and through the severed shoot system.
This is an introductory programme about plants and is in three parts. The speakers are Dr. Don Adamson, visiting lecturer in Biology at the Open University, and Stephen Hurry, senior lecturer in Bi...ology at the Open University. Dr. Adamson illustrates some of the adaptations of plants to water and land environments. This is an introduction to the way in which the structure of the plant body is related to its function and how water and land environments impose different constraints. Stephen Hurry, as an aid to home experimental work, demonstrates the technique for cutting thin sections of living plant material for examination with the microscope. He also illustrates the consequences of some common faults and how these may be avoided. Dr. Adamson demonstrates the experimental set-up for an experiment to evaluate the contribution of roots and shoots to water flow through the intact plant. The student is invited to think about the implications of this experiment which records the amount of water moving through an intact plant, through the severed root system and through the severed shoot system.
| Module code and title: | S22-, Comparative physiology |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S22-; 02; 1972 |
| Series: | Comparative physiology |
| Episode | 2 |
| First transmission date: | 05-02-1972 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OUDA web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:24:06 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Tony Laryea |
| Contributors: | Don Adamson; Stephen Hurry |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Adaptations; Constraints; Land; Microscope; Plants; Roots; Shoots; Water; Water flow |
| Footage description: | Don Adamson introduces the programme. He is in a swamp collecting plant specimens. Don Adamson in the studio with some of the plants he collected. He picks up and examines a specimen of seaweed. He introduces film sequence showing seaweed. Film sequence shows the seaweed laminaria in its natural environment. Adamson explains how the water buoys up the prongs so that photo-synthesis can take place efficiently. Adamson speculates on the structure of plants that originally made the transition from a sea to a land environment. He feels that they may have been similar to present day liverworts. Adamson holds up a specimen of liverwort and points out its features. Shot of cross section of a liverwort showing the large pores through which CO2 diffuses out the plant body and through which water can escape. Adamson shows a fern specimen. He points out the features of the fern. Adamson explains why ferns are found in wet and humid places rather than drier places. He shows a fern gametophyte and explains how this is responsible for the damp location of ferns as it is poorly adapted to dry climates. Adamson begins a discussion of the ways in which plants minimise water loss. He examines the cuticle first. Adamson cuts an iris leaf to expose the cuticle. Shot of a magnified cross section of a leaf showing the cuticle. Adamson also points out the airspaces at the centre of the leaf and a vein bringing water to the leaf. Adamson points out the stomate in the leaf cross section. He shows a more magnified cross section which clearly shows the stomate. Adamson explains its function. (reducing water loss). Shot of the surface of a leaf showing several stomates. Adamson introduces Stephen Hurry. Stephen Hurry demonstrates technique for preparing horizontal sections for microscope analysis. Shots of some of the specimen prepared by Hurry (under magnification). Hurry shows some specimen which were not prepared properly. Adamson with a potted geranium He uses this as an example to explain how quantitative measures are taken of water loss. Adamson with a geranium root system. He explains how the amount of water pumped from root to leaf is measured. Adamson explains how the velocity of water in the plant is measured. He demonstrates. Adamson sums up. |
| Master spool number: | 6LT/70353 |
| Production number: | 00521_2120 |
| Videofinder number: | 3576 |
| Available to public: | no |
