| Popis: |
The first attempts to scientifically systematize plants and animals come from the ancient times. Observing the external features of organisms Aristotle created the first animal systematics. His student, Theophrastus, stated the basic differences between plant and animal worlds. The Stagirite, on the basis of scientific observation and philosophical generalizations, created the concept of soul, whose vegetative power was equipped with the eternal ability to organisms’ reproduction and nutrition. The uptake of food by plants as well as their high reproductive capability were perceived by the researcher as phenomena in which particular dynamic processes occur, such as metabolism, the process of recovery, etc. These astounding phenomena, discovered by Aristotle as early as in antiquity, are the base for the development of contemporary, bio-botanical research. They also inspire contemporary researchers to intensify their philosophical and scientific speculations. This article is an attempt to present more holistic view of complex processes and behavior found in plants, which are more and more often presented as part of intelligent attitudes understood as general (unconscious) behavior adapting plants to variable external environment. |
