Structure and function of plants /

Aimed at a broad audience that includes both amateur enthusiasts as well as students throughout the plant sciences, this work quite effectively hits the mark, providing a remarkably comprehensive introduction (in less than 300 pages) to plant anatomy and physiology. MacAdam (Utah State) begins with descriptive chapters on the structures and various roles of roots, stems, and leaves. The author continues with flowers, reproduction, and seed dispersal mechanisms. She then discusses physiological functions: water relations; nutrient uptake and utilization; macromolecules and enzyme activities; light and photosynthesis; respiration and interconversions of carbohydrates and formation of structural components and secondary products; hormonal regulation and the fundamentals of growth and development; and how plants vary in response to their environments. Most chapters contain supplementary sidebars to add relevance to the featured topics. Numerous horticultural, ecological, and agronomic examples are used throughout to illustrate the economic and environmental significance of the topics. The book is clearly written, up-to-date, extensively illustrated (frequently in color), and includes selected references and a glossary. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, and general readers. W. Loescher Michigan State University