When Life Gives You Lemons...

Kristen DaleBIOL 1110 - General Biology Laboratory (Section K)

Introduction

Common Name: Lemon

Scientific Name: Citrus limon

Lemons come from the Rue (or Rutaceae) family.

✿ Oranges, Grapefruits, Mandarins, Limes, and Easy Peelers

This fruit originated in Asia, mainly used for its juice for culinary purposes.

Introduction

The lemon has three layers:

Exocarp, which is the outer yellow peel. This contains the oil, creating the citrus scent.

Mesocarp, which is the white inner part of the peel.

Endocarp, which isthe pieces of the fruit that we usually

consume.

The Biology Behind Lemons

The four common stages of lemon growth:�1. Bud Induction (How many flowers will the tree have?)�2. Flowering and Fruit (Flowers bloom/Fruit forms)�3. Cell Expansion (Large fruit growth without over-�

watering)

4. Ripening (Rich, yellow, ready to pick)�

The Biology Behind Lemons

✿ The origin of the lemon is believed to be from northeast India, northern Burma, and China.

✿ Present day, lemons can be grown at home or out in suitable climate.

✿ The lemon tree shown in the picture is grown by planting it in a sunny and wind protected area and spreading water and fertilizer throughout the roots.

✿ The fruit is harvested by cutting them off with pruning shears or by pulling the fruit stalk from the tree.

The Economic Importance of Lemons

Lemons coming into the Americas where first introduced by Christopher Columbus planting lemon seeds on U.S. soil after his second voyage.

❀Lemon juice is well known for its anti-oxidants and anti-cancer properties

❀ Historical use: protection against scurvy (disease caused by lack of vitamin C)

❀ Medicinal use: boosts immune system, flushes liver and kidneys, prevents heart failure, bone-related diseases, infection, etc.

Parts of the Lemon

The Ecological Importance of Lemons

✿ Lemons are sub-tropical plants that originated in Asia.✿ Lemons grow best in various types of soils such as sandy,

rocky, and clay.✿ Repels insects such as Mosquitoes from most animals

such as dogs and cats.✿ Excellent source of Vitamin C, potassium, iron, calcium,

& fiber✿ Flavoring of foods along with cleaning & sanitizing.✿ Have been proven to lighten freckles & clear acne scars.✿ During the Winter its best to be protected by the use of

citrus fertilizer, and cardboard (insulate against frost).

Future Directions & Conclusions of Lemons

✿ Scientists have executed tests indicating that lemons possibly contain certain compounds that may prevent cancer.

✿ Studies have been proven that lemons can protect against arthritis.

✿ Phytonutrients with antibiotic & antioxidant effects.✿ Although lemons are very beneficial, It’s not

recommended to digest lemon peels since they can cause health problems all throughout the body due to the large amounts of oxalates in them.

✿ Like vegetables lemons definitely have an impact in helping an individual obtain a healthy lifestyle from cooking, cleaning, to even medical purposes

References

http://www.tis-gdv.de/tis_e/ware/obst/zitronen/zitronen.htm

http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx

http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/benefits-of-lemon.html

https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/lemon.html

www.natureandmore.com

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=27

http://voices.yahoo.com/lemons-history-facts-recipes-health-benefits-259684.html

Referenceshttp://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/hesper1.jpg

http://www.puchen.org/gardens/Conservatory/pl/fruit2.html

http://www.almanac.com/plant/lemons-oranges

http://www.gardenguides.com/97331-growth-stages-lemon-tree.html