James A. Winsor

 

Professor of Biology
Pollination and Plant Reproductive Ecology
Ph.D. University of Michigan 1981
M.S. University of Michigan 1977
B.A. Ohio Wesleyan University 1974

Biology 27 Plant Page

Altoona Biology Home Page

Research Interests:
Since coming to Penn State in 1982, I have maintained an active research program in plant reproductive biology.  My primary areas of interest are the influence of the parent plant on the paternity and fitness of its progeny and the factors that control the performance of pollen during fertilization.  My work has been carried out in collaboration with Andrew G. Stephenson of the Biology Department at University Park.  Together we have developed a collaborative, intercampus program through which undergraduate students from the Altoona Campus and postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students from the University Park Campus have combined their efforts in major research projects.  The program has been continuously funded through National Science Foundation major grants, NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates grants, and Hughes Scholar grants, which fund summer research for undergraduates.

Representative Publications:

Winsor, J. 1983. Persistence by habitat dominance in the annual Impatiens capensis (Balsaminaceae). Journal of Ecology 71(2): 451-466.

Winsor, J., L.E. Davis and A.G. Stephenson. 1987.   The relationship between pollen load and fruit maturation and the effect of pollen load on offspring vigor in Cucurbita pepo. The American Naturalist 129(5): 643-656.

Schlichting, C.D., A.G. Stephenson, L.E. Small and J.A. Winsor.  1990.  Pollen loads and progeny  vigor in Cucurbita pepo: The next generation. Evolution 44: 1358-1372.

Vogler, D.W., C.Raker, J.A. Winsor, and A.G. Stephenson.  1994. The causes and consequences  of  breakdown in self-compatibility in Campanula rapunculoides.   Current Topics in Plant Physiology 12: 334-336.

 Johannsson, M.H., J.A. Winsor, and A.G. Stephenson.  1994.  Genetic and environmental effects on in-vitro pollen tube growth in Cucurbita. Current Topics in Plant Physiology 12:307-309.

Winsor, J.A. and A.G. Stephenson. 1995.  Demographics of pollen tube growth in Cucurbita pepo. Canadian Journal of Botany 73:583-589.

Stephenson, A.G., M.R. Quesada, C.D. Schlichting, and J.A. Winsor. 1995.   Consequences of  variation in pollen load size. Monographs in Systematic Botany 53:245-262

Quesada, M., J.A.Winsor, and A.G. Stephenson.  1996.  Effects of pollen selection on progeny vigor in a cucurbit.  Theoretical and Applied Genetics 92:885-890.

Winsor, J.A., S. Peretz, and A.G. Stephenson.  2000.  Pollen competition in a natural population of   Cucurbita foetidissima (Cucurbitaceae).  American Journal of Botany 87(4): 527-532.

Teaching:

Biology 27:

Biology 27 is a three-credit non-technical course in introductory plant science.  It is a required course for majors in Turfgrass Managment (College of Agricultural Sciences).  It is also designated as a General Education course (GN).   Because it is a laboratory course, some students in the College of Liberal Arts elect Biology 27 in order to fulfill the requirement of the College for a laboratory science course. In consideration of the clientele of the course, Biology 27 is delivered in a largely non-technical fashion.  We do not avoid the fundamental scientific principles, but neither do we assume that students have any specialized background in science prior to the course.

Biology 27 is an introduction to plant science and to the plant kingdom.  The emphasis is on the anatomy, morphology, and physiology of plants, and on a survey of the major groups in the plant kingdom, as well as algae, and fungi.  Because of the broad scope of the course, coverage of all these topics will be somewhat general.  This does not mean, however, that factual detail will be lacking.  Students in Biology 27 will gain a wealth of information and expertise, much of which should be applicable in the classroom, outdoors, and professionally.  In particular, the laboratory component of the course emphasizes experimentation and a "hands-on" approach.

Biology 20:

This is a course in economic botany designed primarily for students majoring in fields outside the sciences.  Beyond the usual focus on practical uses of plants and plant products, this course has the goal of comparing the use of plants among differ­ent human societies, past and present.   The course progresses through three levels.   It begins by developing a model of a plant that empha­sizes integration of structural, biochemical and reproduc­tive features into a living system in which form inter­acts with function.  Next, it demonstrates that interrelated form and function deter­mine a plant's utility and define its human use.  At the highest level of the course, the student compares the uses of plants by peoples in different parts of the world.  At this level it shown that the cultural diversity of human civilizations is reflected in their myriad uses of plants.

Topics:

·          Importance and relevance of plants

·          Cell structure

·          Tissues

·          Plant organs: stems, roots, and leaves

·          Biology of flowers

·          Agricultural systems

·          Grains & Legumes

·          Roots and Tubers

·          Fruits and Nuts

·          Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate

·          Herbs and Spices

·          Medicinal, Psychoactive, Poisonous Plants

·          Fibers

·          Wood and Wood Products

·          Plants in the Landscape

·          Beer and Wine

·          Plants in Literature, Art, and Religion

·          Plant Conservation

Return to Penn State Altoona Biology Home Page

Return to University Park Biology Department Home Page

The Biology Home Pages at Altoona and University Park have links to other Home Pages of Penn State University

Last updated 05/12/00