Paul surveys the Kingdom Plantae. He begins with a brief description of the phylogeny of land plants. He then describes the defining characteristics of plants, including cell walls, embryophytes, alternation of generation and photosynthesis. He briefly describes the sporophyte and the gametophyte. He finishes with brief discussion of plant evolution and includes major divisions, like bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.
Paul Andersen explains the major plants structures. He starts with a brief discussion of monocot and dicot plants. He then describes the three main tissues in plants; dermal, ground and vascular. He also describes the plant cells within each of these tissues; epidermis, parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerencyma, xylem and phloem. He describes both primary and secondary growth in plants. He finishes the podcast with a discussion of double fertilization in plants.
Paul Andersen explains how nutrients and water are transported in plants. He begins with a brief discussion of what nutrients are required by plants and where they get them. He shows you dermal, vascular and ground tissue in monocot and dicot roots, stems and leaves. He then explains how water is pulled up a tree in xylem and how sugar is pushed in a plant through phloem.
Paul Andersen explains how plants use hormones to respond to their environment. The following hormones are detailed; auxin, cytokinins, gibberelins, abscisic acid and ethylene.
