Practical Revision Flashcards
What are the major groups of plants that will be observed during the practicals?
Angiosperms, Pteridophytes, Bryophytes, Fungi
Fungi are not classified as plants.
What is the role of field botanists in understanding landscapes?
They use plants to read the landscape, determine its use, and identify conservation steps.
How many common plant families will be introduced during the practicals?
At least ten commonest plant families.
What ecological process will be studied at Belhaven Bay?
Coastal fore-dune zonation and dune succession.
What is the significance of mosses in dune ecosystems?
They help in fixing the top soil.
What type of plants are some halophytes in salt marshes classified as?
C4 plants.
How long have mosses and liverworts been around?
450 million years.
What tools are often required for identifying species of bryophytes?
Field lens and sometimes a microscope.
What are the two main divisions of fungi that will be observed?
Basidiomycota and Ascomycota.
What are the spore-releasing methods of Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes?
Basidiomycetes are spore droppers; Ascomycetes are spore shooters.
What role do many fungi species play in the environment?
They are mycorrhizal and support ecosystem health.
True or False: Students can attend the outdoor practicals multiple times at each location.
False.
Fill in the blank: It is critical that you arrive on time for the practical as the bus will leave without you if you are _______.
late
What is required in terms of clothing for the field trip?
Decent outdoor walking footwear and weather appropriate clothing.
What are the two main groups of cryptograms?
Bryophytes and Fungi.
True or False: Bryophytes are vascular plants.
False.
Fill in the blank: The major divisions of bryophytes include ______, ______, and ______.
mosses, liverworts, hornworts.
Which group of cryptograms is primarily non-vascular?
Bryophytes.
List one characteristic that distinguishes fungi from bryophytes.
Fungi have cell walls made of chitin, while bryophytes have cell walls made of cellulose.
What is the definition of saprotrophs?
Saprotrophs are organisms that obtain nutrients by decomposing dead organic matter.
True or False: Mycorrhizas are symbiotic relationships between fungi and plant roots.
True
Fill in the blank: Saprotrophs play a crucial role in __________ by breaking down dead matter.
nutrient cycling
What is the primary function of mycorrhizal fungi in terrestrial ecosystems?
To enhance nutrient and water absorption for plants.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a benefit of mycorrhizal associations? A) Improved nutrient uptake B) Increased plant disease resistance C) Decreased soil fertility
C) Decreased soil fertility
What role do saprotrophs play in the ecosystem?
They decompose organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil.
True or False: Mycorrhizal fungi can only associate with one type of plant.
False
Fill in the blank: Saprotrophs are essential for __________ in ecosystems.
decomposition
What are the two main types of mycorrhizal associations?
Ectomycorrhizae and arbuscular mycorrhizae.
Multiple choice: Which type of mycorrhizae forms a sheath around the root? A) Ectomycorrhizae B) Arbuscular mycorrhizae
A) Ectomycorrhizae
What is the significance of saprotrophs in soil health?
They help maintain soil structure and fertility through organic matter decomposition.
True or False: Mycorrhizal fungi can improve plant tolerance to drought.
True
Fill in the blank: The relationship between saprotrophs and organic material is primarily __________.
decompositional
What is the primary source of energy for saprotrophs?
Dead organic matter.
Multiple choice: Which of the following organisms are considered saprotrophs? A) Fungi B) Bacteria C) Both A and B
C) Both A and B
What are vascular plants?
Plants that have specialized tissues for transporting water and nutrients, including xylem and phloem.
True or False: Bryophytes are vascular plants.
False
Fill in the blank: Vascular plants include ______ and ______.
ferns; flowering plants
What is the primary characteristic that differentiates bryophytes from vascular plants?
Bryophytes lack vascular tissues.
Which of the following is a type of bryophyte? A) Moss B) Fern C) Pine
A) Moss
What is the role of xylem in vascular plants?
To transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.
What are the three main groups of vascular plants?
Angiosperms, gymnosperms, and ferns.
True or False: Bryophytes can grow in extremely dry environments.
False
What defines the reproductive strategy of bryophytes?
They reproduce via spores and have a dominant gametophyte stage.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of vascular plants? A) Presence of roots B) Presence of flowers C) Absence of seeds
C) Absence of seeds
What type of environment do bryophytes typically thrive in?
Moist and shaded environments.
Fill in the blank: Vascular plants are typically larger than ______.
bryophytes
What is a common example of a vascular plant?
Oak tree.
True or False: Bryophytes have true roots, stems, and leaves.
False
What is the primary function of phloem in vascular plants?
To transport sugars and organic nutrients throughout the plant.
What are the two main stages in the life cycle of bryophytes?
Gametophyte and sporophyte stages.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following structures is NOT found in bryophytes? A) Rhizoids B) Leaves C) Vascular tissue
C) Vascular tissue
What is the significance of vascular tissue in plants?
It allows for the efficient transport of water, nutrients, and food, enabling larger growth.
Fill in the blank: The dominant generation in vascular plants is the ______ generation.
sporophyte
What adaptation allows vascular plants to colonize land effectively?
The development of vascular tissue.
True or False: All vascular plants produce seeds.
False
What is the main component of the bryophyte structure that anchors them to the substrate?
Rhizoids.
List two observable differences between vascular plants and bryophytes.
Vascular plants have vascular tissue; bryophytes are typically smaller and lack true roots.
What is the primary method of reproduction in vascular plants?
Seed production.
Define bryophytes.
Non-vascular land plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.
What is fore-dune succession?
Fore-dune succession refers to the ecological progression of plant communities on the sandy areas in front of coastal dunes.
Which types of plants are typically found in C4 photosynthesis pathways?
Plants that use C4 photosynthesis include many grasses, such as maize and sugarcane.
True or False: C4 plants have an advantage over C3 plants in high-temperature environments.
True
Fill in the blank: C4 plants are more efficient in _______ conditions compared to C3 plants.
high light and temperature
What is the primary advantage of C4 photosynthesis in relation to salt-stressed plants?
C4 photosynthesis allows for better water-use efficiency and reduced photorespiration under salt stress.
Name a common example of a C3 plant.
Wheat
What does the term ‘C4/C3 plants’ refer to?
It refers to the comparison between plants utilizing C4 and C3 photosynthetic pathways.
Which type of photosynthesis is generally more efficient in arid conditions?
C4 photosynthesis
True or False: C3 plants are better suited for cooler climates.
True
What role does the enzyme PEP carboxylase play in C4 plants?
PEP carboxylase catalyzes the first step in the C4 photosynthetic pathway, fixing carbon dioxide.
Fill in the blank: C4 plants typically require _______ water than C3 plants.
less
What is photorespiration, and why is it significant for C3 plants?
Photorespiration is a process that occurs when oxygen is fixed instead of carbon dioxide, which reduces the efficiency of photosynthesis in C3 plants.
List one advantage of C4 plants in saline environments.
C4 plants can maintain higher rates of photosynthesis despite salt stress.
What is the main difference in carbon fixation between C3 and C4 plants?
C3 plants fix carbon dioxide directly, while C4 plants first convert it into a four-carbon compound.
True or False: C4 plants have a higher rate of transpiration compared to C3 plants.
False
Fill in the blank: The _______ pathway is utilized by C4 plants to minimize water loss.
C4 photosynthetic
How do C4 plants manage to thrive in high salinity conditions?
They possess specialized anatomy and biochemical pathways that enhance their water-use efficiency.
What environmental factors typically favor the establishment of fore-dune succession?
Factors such as wind, sand availability, and salt spray influence fore-dune succession.
What is one characteristic of the vegetation found in fore-dune succession?
The vegetation is often composed of salt-tolerant species.
True or False: C4 plants can be found in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
False
Name a key benefit of C4 photosynthesis in a changing climate.
C4 photosynthesis provides resilience to drought and heat stress.
What type of light conditions do C4 plants prefer?
They prefer high light intensity.
Fill in the blank: The primary function of _______ in C4 plants is to concentrate carbon dioxide.
Kranz anatomy
Define ‘salt stress’ in the context of plant biology.
Salt stress refers to the adverse effects on plant growth and development caused by high salinity levels in the soil.
What is systemic acquired resistance (SAR)?
A defense mechanism where plants trigger immune responses after recognizing a pathogen.
SAR allows for enhanced protection against subsequent pathogen attacks.
What role does salicylic acid (SA) play in systemic acquired resistance?
SA accumulation induces SAR gene expression and leads to the production of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins with antimicrobial properties.
PR proteins help in combating pathogen infections.
What is the significance of the nahG gene in the experiment?
nahG gene allows for testing the importance of SA, as transgenic plants carrying this gene cannot accumulate SA.
These plants break down SA due to salicylate hydroxylase.
How is peroxidase activity used in the experiment?
Peroxidase activity is measured as a marker for SA-induced resistance.
Increased peroxidase activity indicates a successful SAR response.
What disease does Erwinia carotovora cause in potatoes?
Blackleg disease.
This disease is significant due to its impact on potato crop yield.
What is the function of pectate lyase in E. carotovora?
Pectate lyase degrades pectin and other cell wall components, facilitating tissue breakdown and nutrient release.
This enzymatic activity is crucial for the virulence of the pathogen.
What experimental setup is used to study E. carotovora infection in potatoes?
Potato tuber slices and whole tubers from different cultivars are inoculated with wild-type and mutant strains of E. carotovora.
Control samples are inoculated with sterile water.
What is indicated by clear zones around inoculation sites on polygalacturonate agar plates?
Enzyme activity of pectate lyase, showing effective degradation of pectin by the wild-type strain compared to the mutant.
The presence of clear zones demonstrates the virulence of the wild-type strain.
What are pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins?
Proteins produced in response to pathogen infection that have antimicrobial properties.
They play a key role in plant defense mechanisms.
True or False: The study aims to reduce reliance on chemical protectants by breeding disease-resistant plants.
True.
Insights from the study can inform strategies for developing resistant crop varieties.
Fill in the blank: The practical exercise primarily focuses on _______ and the role of salicylic acid (SA).
plant immunity
What is the main goal of understanding plant-pathogen interactions?
To address significant global crop losses, with over 20% affected annually.
This understanding can lead to improved agricultural practices.
