CERATOPTERIS - AN IDEAL MODEL SYSTEM FOR TEACHING PLANT BIOLOGY

We have successfully utilized Ceratopteris richardii as a pedagogical tool in introductory and upper-division investigative exercises and in independent research projects. Undoubtedly, this is one of the simple st and easiest to implement biological systems in educational applicat ions. Plants, especially gametophytes, are readily maintained in cultu re and can be used as a means to explore a wide array of biological ph enomena, research tools, and techniques. This fern affords the advanta ge of rapid growth, especially for studies of growth regulation, devel opment, and genetics. It enables experimentation on single cells and s ubsequent manipulation of differentiation into multicellular organisms . Hundreds of individuals may be maintained in a single petri dish, th us facilitating observation of population dynamics and genetics.