This Week We Will Investigate The Importance Of Plants In Ou

This Week We Will Investigate The Importance Of Plants In Our Everyday

This week we will investigate the importance of plants in our everyday lives – in ways other than just for oxygen. Photosynthesis is arguably one of the most important processes on Earth – essentially all life depends on it. Humans and other animals depend on plants to capture the energy of the sun and use that energy to manufacture carbohydrates – subsequently releasing the oxygen that we breathe. But plants are vital to our lives in other ways as well. Think about the pencil you write with (or used to), the toothpick you used last night, the cotton T-shirt you wore today or the maple syrup you had on your pancakes this morning.

These all came from plants! Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between plants and people – plants used for practical, ceremonial, spiritual, medicinal, decorative, edible, etc. purposes. You are to find a plant product that we use every day, and do not pick one that your classmates have already chosen. Make sure to include the product name in the title of your discussion post so that others can quickly see what you have chosen. Do some research and address the following: From what plant does your product come? Include the common and scientific name (properly formatted). What is the product? What does it do? How do we extract it from the plant. Describe in detail. What is the primary use: medicinal, ceremonial, etc.? Are there commercial fields for the plant? Where? Are there any substitutes for your product? If there is no information, feel free to take an educated guess and support it. What is the most fascinating thing you learned about your product? Follow the discussion grading criteria, guidelines and instructions for posting and replying to peers. For More Information: Missouri Botanical Garden: New York Botanical Garden: TEDX Video:

Paper For Above instruction

Product Chosen: Cotton (Gossypium spp.) – Cotton Fabric

The product I selected is cotton fabric, a ubiquitous material used in clothing, textiles, and household goods. Cotton is derived from the fibers of the cotton plant, primarily from the genus Gossypium. The most common species used commercially are Gossypium hirsutum (upland cotton) and Gossypium barbadense (extra-long staple or Egyptian cotton).

Extraction and Processing: Cotton fibers are harvested from mature cotton bolls, which are the fluffy seed hairs protecting the seeds. Once harvested, the cotton is ginned — a process that separates the fibers from the seeds. The fibers are then cleaned, carded, and spun into yarns or threads, which are woven or knitted into fabric. This process involves mechanical and chemical steps, including bleaching and dyeing, to produce the final textile products.

The primary use of cotton is in the textile industry, especially for manufacturing clothing, towels, bedding, and other household textiles. Cotton fabrics are valued for their softness, breathability, and durability. Although synthetic fibers like polyester are often substitutes, cotton remains highly preferred due to its natural origin, comfort, and biodegradability.

Most fascinatingly, cotton playing a huge role in economies worldwide is incredible. It sustains millions of farmers' livelihoods, especially in countries like India, the United States, and China. Additionally, innovations in organic cotton farming and sustainable practices are promoting environmental conservation, reducing water usage, and decreasing chemical pollution associated with conventional cotton farming.

References

Related Assignments