BIO 2210 Plant Diversity and Physiology Outline

BIO 2210 PLANT DIVERSITY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Welcome to BIO 2210 – Plant Diversity and Physiology!
Please, remember that it is very important to read and understand the syllabus. It is the best source
of information about the course and it contains all the information you need to follow the course
over the semester.
Remember that it is your responsibility to read and understand all the material on the syllabus. If
you find that the syllabus is missing some information, please make sure you ask me to provide it.
⁂ Course Description and Objectives
Plants are one of the most successful and abundant groups of organisms on earth, comprising the
majority of terrestrial biomass, being integral to ecosystem structure, and providing humans with
food, shelter, and materials. Recent studies show that Zambia is ranked 1st in Africa and 5th in the
World in Deforestation. This course will introduce you to basic principles of plant function
including physical processes occurring in plants, water relations in whole plants and plant tissues,
cell physiology and biochemistry, and growth and development and more importantly their
diversity and how this helps stabilize the environment. In the laboratory, you will explore plant
diversity and anatomy, as well as conduct genetic, biochemical, and physiological studies. This
course aims to increase your understanding about the diversity of lower plants, their classification,
structure and growth.
⁂ Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, you should be able to:
1. Discuss plant-like and non-plant like characteristics of the main algal groups
2. Describe the division of the plant kingdom
3. Explain the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration
4. Discuss the diversity of the plant kingdom
5. Have specialised skills in the collection, preservation, storage and description of reference
collections.
1
⁂ Recommended Prior Knowledge
 General knowledge of biology

 Understanding and familiarity of the essential concepts of physics and chemistry
 Good English (spoken and written)
⁂ Course Content
1. Algae:
1.1. Characteristics of algae

1.2. Classification of algae: Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta
1.3. Economic importance of algae (with reference to biofertilizers and food)
2. Fungi and Lichens:
2.1 Properties of fungi

2.2 Classification of fungi
2.3 Examples
2.4 Structure and life cycle of selected fungi (Rhizopus and Aspergillus)
2.5 Nutrition and Parasitism
2.6 Economic importance of fungi
2.7 Biological Properties of Lichens
2.8 Classification of Lichens
2.9 Structure and reproduction in Lichens.
2.10 Economic and ecological significance of lichens
3. Bryophyta:
3.1. Biological properties of Bryophytes, Classification of the bryophytes

3.2. Alternation of generations in the bryophytes
4. Pteridophytes:
4.1 Biological Properties of Pteridophytes

4.2 Classification of Pteridophytes
2
4.3Structure and reproduction in Pteridophytes
5. Gymnosperms:
5.1 Classification of Gymnosperms

5.2 Structure and reproduction in Gymnosperms
5.3 Economic importance of Gymnosperms
6. Angiosperms:
6.1 Classification of Gymnosperms with respect to the following families:

Malvaceae, Leguminosae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae and Amaryllidaceae
6.2 Structure and reproduction in angiosperms
7. Plant Biochemistry and Physiology:
7.1 Plant- water relations, water transport processes, bulk flow, osmosis and water
potential
7.2 Essential nutrients, deficiencies and plant disorders
7.3 Water and mineral nutrient absorption and transport
7.4 Theories of ascent of sap
7.5 Transportation of other nutrients, mycorrhizae, bacteria and minerals
7.6 Photosynthesis, Cellular respiration and fermentation
7.7 Plant growth and growth hormones
8. Current trends in Plant science:
8.1 Phytoremediation of toxic wastes: methods of phytoremediation, current status and

scope
8.2 Horticulture: branches, present status and scope
8.3 Forestry: branches, present status and scope
8.4 Aromatherapy: concepts and applications, present status and scope
While exploring the content mentioned, it is my expectation that you will strengthen several
transferable skills as well as improve your ability to verbally articulate yourselves.
3
⁂ Mode of Delivery
We will have three hours of lectures every week, one 1-hour session and one 2-hour session. You
will have three hours of laboratory work every week.
You will be required to work as a team through some guided learning activities and group
assignments.
⁂ Assessments
You will have continuous assessments that will consist of two tests, two assignments, laboratory
practicals and quizzes which will be evaluated. All the continuous assessments will be out of
40%.
The breakdown of the continuous assessments will be as follows:

Tests (2) – 15%
Lab practicals – 15%
Quizzes – 5%
Assignments – 5%
Finally, a written and practical exam will be administered at the end of the semester making up
the remaining 60%.
⁂ Course Policies
Late assignment policy: assignments are to be submitted by 16:59 on the due day. Late
assignments will be penalized at 10% per day.
Absence: It is likely that at some point during the semester, you may have to miss some labs or
lectures due to illness or other exceptional circumstances. It is imperative that you contact me so
that I am aware of the extenuating circumstances and make appropriate arrangements.
Plagiarism
4
You have to remember that cheating and plagiarism are violations of university policy and are
considered serious offenses. All instances of academic dishonesty will be treated seriously and
subjected to the recommended punishment according to the University Assessment Policy.
Here is an extract from the Assessment Policy:
4.1 It is an offence for a student to avail another student of their prepared assessment material.
4.2 Any student found guilty of the offence under clause 4.1 above shall be liable to caution and
cancellation of their assessment material.
4.3 It is an offence for a student to:
4.3.1 Submit assessment material not prepared by them.
4.3.2 Plagiarize the work of another person.
4.3.3 Solicit or purchase any assessment material from another person.
4.3.4 Falsify or alter marks awarded on a marked script.
4.4 Students found guilty of the offence under clause 4.3 above shall be liable to caution and
cancellation of their assessment material.
Prescribed Readings
Gibson, J.P. and Gibson, T.R. (2007) Plant Diversity, Infobase Publishing, New York.
Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., Moller, I.M. and Murphy A.(2014) Plant Physiology, 6thEd. Sinauer
Associates Inc., Massachusetts.
Recommended Readings
Dutta, A. C. Revised by Dutta, T. C. 1997. Botany for Degree students, 6th Ed. Oxford University
Press. ISBN: 9780195637489
Hopkins, W.G. and Huner, N.P.A. (2008) Plant Physiology, 4th Ed. John Wiley and Sons Inc.,
USA.
Ingrouille, M. and Eddie, B. (2006) Plants: Evolution and Diversity, Cambridge University Press,
New York.
5
Berg, L. (2008) Introductory Botany- Plants, People and the Environment, 2nd Ed. Thomson
Brooks/Cole, U.S.A.

BIO 2210 Plant Diversity and Physiology Outline

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BIO 2210 Plant Diversity and Physiology Outline

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

BIO 2210 Plant Diversity and Physiology Outline

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BIO 2210 PLANT DIVERSITY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Welcome to BIO 2210 – Plant Diversity and Physiology!

⁂ Course Description and Objectives

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

 General knowledge of biology

1.1. Characteristics of algae

2. Fungi and Lichens:

2.1 Properties of fungi

3.1. Biological properties of Bryophytes, Classification of the bryophytes

4.1 Biological Properties of Pteridophytes

5.1 Classification of Gymnosperms

6.1 Classification of Gymnosperms with respect to the following families:

7. Plant Biochemistry and Physiology:

8. Current trends in Plant science:

8.1 Phytoremediation of toxic wastes: methods of phytoremediation, current status and

The breakdown of the continuous assessments will be as follows:

Here is an extract from the Assessment Policy:

You might also like