THE BOTANICAL ORGANISMS UNIT
Three videos provide a powerful teaching resource for botanical subjects.

The Biology of Plants

Clear graphics and succinct narration describe the molecular level mechanisms of photosynthesis. The taxonomy section introduces the nonvascular plants (mosses and liverworts), primitive vascular plants (ferns and horsetails), gymnosperms and flowering plants--with emphasis on life cycles in each group; a good general introduction to the green kingdom. (18 minutes)

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Branches on the Tree of Life: Algae
The term "algae" is a catch-all for several evolutionary lines of photosynthetic organisms: RED ALGAE (plastids with chlorophyll A), the CHROMISTA (with chlorophyll A and C) including Brown Algae , diatoms, and chrysophytes, DINOFLAGELLATES, EUGLENIDS and THE GREEN LINE OF EVOLUTION (which also includes plants) (Chlorophyll A and B). This new look at the algae clarifies relationships and basic biology of each group with dramatic microscope footage of structure and processes. (20 minutes)

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Branches on the Tree of Life: Fungi
Fungi join with bacteria in breaking down dead organic material. In this program, the four main phyla of fungi are explored with examples. Certain fungi (mycorrhizae) form symbiotic relationships with plants. Their help in absorbing nutrients and water probably aided vascular plants in colonizing the land.

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