Sbt2302:Taxonomy Of Higher Plants Question Paper
Sbt2302:Taxonomy Of Higher Plants
Course:Bachelor Of Horticulture
Institution: Meru University Of Science And Technology question papers
Exam Year:2011
QUESTION ONE – (30 MARKS)
(a) Compare and contrast the following pairs of terms in the context they are used in plant taxonomy. (10 Marks) (i) Variable vs. fixed characters (ii) Homologous vs. analogous traits (iii)Allopatric vs. sympatric species (iv) Holotype vs. isotype (v) Apomorphy vs. plesiomorphy (b) (i) Which two major technological innovations contributed to plant taxonomy in the 14th century and how? (2 Marks) (ii) Comment on the following early works of taxonomy (2 Marks) - “Genera Plantarum” - “Species Plantarum” (c) The development of plant systematic can be categorized in three phases. Which are these and what are their characteristics? (6 Marks) (d) Explain the meaning of the following terms in nomenclature. (4 Marks) (i) Principle of priority (ii) Parenthetical authority (e) (i) Enlist in brief the details to include as field notes when collecting plant specimens. (3½ Marks) (ii) Classify the following plant taxa names to their corresponding hierarchical ranks. (2½ Marks) Pterophytina, Rosoideae, Pinus, Rosinae, Apiaceae
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QUESTION TWO – (20 MARKS)
(a) Name citing examples the two classes that constitute angiosperms. (2 Marks) (b) Describe their attendant characteristics that differentiate them (above) (10 Marks) (c) Highlight the features that are used to arbitrarily categorize angiosperms as herbaceous plants, shrubs or trees. (6 Marks) (d) Comment on the ecological and economic significance of this group of plants. (2 Marks)
QUESTION THREE – (20 MARKS)
(a) Describe the characteristics and distribution of any three of the following plant families. (i) Poaceae (ii) Arecacaceae (iii)Asteraceae (iv) Brassicaceae (10 Marks) (b) (i) What is the difference between a “true” and “false” fruit? (2 Marks) (ii) Classify fruits on the basis of the nature of the pericarp and condition of the gynoecium. (6 Marks) (iii) In which category of fruits does each of the following belong? (2 Marks) - Banana, Musa acuminata - Mango, Mangifera indica
QUESTION FOUR – (20 MARKS)
(a) Angiosperms are clearly the most successful group of land plants. Why? (5 Marks) (b) With the aid of diagrams, describe the types of inflorescences. (6 Marks) (c) Decipher the following floral formula (5 Marks)
*;( ,D); K5; C5(0); A5-10(5-10); G ; cap, (ach) (d) Briefly indicate the general trends in floral evolution in angiosperms. (4 Marks)
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