1. Plant Genetics
A living organism of the kind exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses,
typically growing in a permanent site, absorbing water and inorganic substances
through its roots, and synthesizing nutrients in its leaves by photosynthesis using the
green pigment chlorophyll. Plants differ from animals in lacking specialized sense organs,
having no capacity for voluntary movement, having cell walls, and growing to suit their
surroundings rather than having a fixed body plan.
The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

2. Why study plant genetics?
Live well!
Understand
Predict
Select
Perpetuate

3. Key starting considerations for plant genetic analysis
Genus and species
Center(s) of origin
Genome formula
Genome size
Traits of economic and/or ecological importance
Cool facts

4. Your favorite plant – assignments that will be updated
throughout the quarter and submitted as a final term project.
Assignment # 1 – the name card
Your name
Favorite Plant (on front); Back-up model plant (on back)
Genus and species
Center(s) of origin
Genome formula*
Genome size (bp and pg)*
Traits of economic and/or ecological importance
Cool facts
* Go to Kew! (Kew Gardens Plant DNA C-values Database)