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:2012
QUESTION ONE - (30 MARKS)
a) (i) Taxonomy is the pillar of biology. Justify this statement. (2 Marks) (ii) Explain why classification can be considered as both a component and product of taxonomy (2 Marks)
b) (i) Why is Theophrastus fondly referred to as the grandfather of botany? (2 Marks) (ii) The Renaissance period (14th century) is remembered for various reasons in plant taxonomy. Elaborate. (4 Marks)
c) (i) Classify the following taxa names accordingly - Ranales - Saniculeae - Oleaceae - Rosinae - Plantae - Thracheophyta (3 Marks)
(ii) Comment on subspecies as a taxonomic rank. (2 Marks)
d) Cite the preconditions that must be satisfied for a name to be considered valid under the ICBN. (4 Marks) e) (i) Highlight on the basic types of inflorescence. (3 Marks) (ii) Briefly discuss chemotaxonomy as an approach to plant systematic. (4 Marks)
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f) You have been appointed curator in a resource-poor laboratory environment. Point out four improvisations you would resort to in collecting and preserving herbarium plant specimens from your locality. (4 Marks)
QUESTION TWO – (20 MARKS)
a) Describe the ‘taxonomic impediment’ phenomenon. (9 Marks) b) What are the roles of the following initiatives in relation to 2(a) above? (6 Marks) i. GBIF ii. BOZONET c) Give an account of products of taxonomy other than classification. (5 Marks)
QUESTION THREE – (20 MARKS)
Discuss the history and development of plant taxonomy with reference to the following phases.
a) Preliterate era (5 Marks) b) Early taxonomists (10 Marks) c) Modern cladistics (5 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR – (20 MARKS)
a) Floral parts are arranged inform of arbitrary whorls. With the aid of a diagram, elaborate on this statement. (10 Marks) b) Interpret the following floral formulae: (i) CA5CO5 A2+2G2 (2 Marks)
(ii)*; (OO, D);K5; C5 (0); A5-10(5-10); G2-5 ;Cap.,(Ach.) (3 Marks) c) Describe fruit types as taxonomic characters with reference to simple dry indehiscent fruits. (5 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE – (20 MARKS)
a) Angiosperms are divided into two major classes. Describe the latent features of members of the class Liliopsida. (5 Marks) b) Describe the characteristics of the following angiosperm families i. Asteraceae (5 Marks) ii. Apiaceae (5 Marks) c) Indicate the general trends in floral evolution in angiosperms. (5 Marks)
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