Summarize Pollans hypothesis regarding the apple.

Instructions for essay:
We tend to view plants as static objects that we manipulate. Rarely do we view them as
organisms with an agenda and the ability to manipulate us. This is especially true for
domesticated plants that we are familiar with. Read and consider the introduction to The Botany
of Desire: A Plants-Eye View of the World, by Michael Pollan. Then choose one of following
chapters* to read and analyze. Compose an approximately 1000-word essay addressing one of
the following prompts:
Apple: Summarize Pollans hypothesis regarding the apple. In a world without humans,
what is the benefit of bearing fruits? Do seeds in a sweeter fruit have an advantage? How
do humans change this equation and what has been the consequence for the apple?
Tulip: Summarize Pollans hypothesis regarding the tulip. What are the two main principles
of beauty as described by Pollan? What is the significance of beauty from a biological
standpoint? Why might humans have evolved to recognize floral beauty in the same way?
Do you think human propagation has increased or decreased diversity of the tulip? Why?
Cannabis: Summarize Pollans hypothesis regarding cannabis. Why do so many plants
produce drugs that affect animals? From an evolutionary standpoint, what is unique about
those that alter human consciousness? What has the study of cannabis taught us about
neuroscience? Can you think of other medical advances that came from plants?
Potato: Summarize Pollans hypothesis regarding the potato. What are the advantages and
disadvantages to monoculture? Pollan contrasts the NewLeaf potato with the apple, tulip,
and cannabis because the latter plants never lost their evolutionary say in the matter
never became solely the object of our desires. Do you agree?