Botany: The Study of Plants

This question asks us to find a single word that represents "the study of plants". This is a common type of vocabulary question where we need to match a description to its specific term.

Defining Key Terms

Let's break down the meaning of each option provided to see which one fits the description:

• Botany: This is the scientific field dedicated to the study of plants. It covers everything about plants – how they grow, function, are classified, and their role in the environment.
• Sericulture: This term is related to the cultivation and breeding of silkworms for the production of silk. It's not related to plants in general.
• Bacteriology: This is the branch of microbiology that studies bacteria. Bacteria are tiny organisms, very different from plants.
• Astrology: This practice looks at the movements and positions of stars and planets to interpret their influence on human lives. It is not a scientific study of plants.

Choosing the Right Substitute

Comparing the definitions with the description "the study of plants":

• The definition of Botany directly matches "the study of plants".
• Sericulture is about silkworms.
• Bacteriology is about bacteria.
• Astrology is about celestial bodies.

Therefore, the correct one-word substitute for the study of plants is Botany.