BOTA 41016

>< Type/ Status : Compulsory
>< Course title : Plant Systematics and Plant Physiology
>< Prerequisite(s) : All core course units in Botany
>< Objectives: By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
- recognize different taxonomic sources, analyze relevant information and interpret taxonomic relationships.
- demonstrate an in-depth understanding of physiological processes in normal and extreme environments.
>< Course content:

Plant Systematics: The basis of taxonomy, the need and purpose of classification, the hierarchy, artificial, natural, phylogenetic and modern phenetic systems. Numerical taxonomy: cluster analysis, phenetics and cladistics. Sources of taxonomic information: structural, chemical, chromosomal, geographical and ecological information. Evolution, variation and biosystematics. Plant nomenclature: type specimens, author citations, rule of priority. Presentation of data: monographs, Floras and revisions.

Plant Physiology: Water relations: Soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, stomatal physiology, measurement of plant water status. Growth and development: photomorphogenesis and seed physiology. Stress Physiology: stress concepts, water, salt, and temperature stress. Photosynthesis: photochemistry, mechanisms of light absorption and emission, photophosphorylation. Carbon isotope fractionation in photosynthesis. Formation of sucrose, starch and fructans. Prokaryotic photosynthesis. Mineral nutrition: nutrient acquisition from toxic or extreme soils, plant nutrient- use efficiency.

>< Methodology: Lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical assignments.
>< Scheme of evaluation: End of course written and practical examination and
practical assignments.
>< Recommended reading:
01. Luchsinger, A E and Jones, S B (1986). Plant Systematics, McGraw-Hill.
02. Stace, C A. (1989). Plant Taxonomy and Biosystematics. Cambridge.
03. Taxon - International Journal of Plant Taxonomy.
04. Salisbury, F B and Ross, C W (1992). Plant Physiology. Wadsworth.
05. Taiz, L and Zeiger, E (1991). Plant Physiology. The Benjamin/ Cummings.
06. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology.
07. Kramer, P J and Boyer, J S (1995). Water Relations of Plants and Soil. Academic Press.
08. Lambers, B H; Chapin, F S and Pons, T L (1998). Plant Physiological Ecology. Springer Publishers.

Back