Overview

We all appreciate a beautiful flower, and for thousands of years, people have pondered the mysteries of how flowers develop. Recent discoveries have uncovered the molecular mechanisms that control flower development in diverse plant species.

Learn more about extracting DNA in the following short video lesson:

Extracting DNA

Why This Science Matters

How does a complex organism such as an animal or a plant develop? All plants and animals start their lives as single cells, and these cells divide many times to give rise to mature organisms that contain billions of cells. How does the genetic blueprint that is present in that original cell lead to the formation of a complete organism with arms and legs, in the case of a human, or flowers and stems in the case of a plant? Answers to these questions will have far-reaching implications, from finding cures to human diseases to improving the yields of important crop plants.

The sudden emergence of flowering plants millions of years ago was called the abominable mystery by Charles Darwin. Although this mystery is still being explored, many of the key genes that control flower formation have recently been identified. Flowers give rise to the fruit, which in turn produces the seeds, and thus the understanding of how flowers develop will have important applications. Recent understanding of the basic mechanisms that control when a plant decides to flower, and how that flower develops has already led to new advances that may someday revolutionize agriculture.

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Explore This Topic

The following questions accompany this lesson. The answers are given below each question. To reveal an answer, place the cursor over "THE ANSWER IS:".

1.) What is DNA?

2.) Where is DNA found?

3.) What is a gene?

4.) What are dominant and recessive genes?

5.) What is a phenotype?

6.) What is a genotype?

7.) What are the parts of a flower?

8.) How do scientists study the molecular details of the development of flowering plants?

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Links and Resources

Information about Dr. Martin Yanofsky

Check out Dr. Martin Yanofsky's Lab

UCSD scientists identify Genes for unusual "Flower within a Flower"

UCSD scientists discover how to genetically convert leaves into petals

UCSD scientists identify genes that control seed dispersal

Genetics/Biotechnology Curricular Resources

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Lesson developed by Wendi Snodgrass, 8th grade science teacher, Kieller Middle School, San Diego Unified School District.