2021-2022 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Apr 16, 2024  
2021-2022 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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BIOL& 213 Majors Plant (5 credits)



Distribution Area Fulfilled Natural Sciences with Lab; General Transfer Elective
Prerequisite BIOL& 160  with a minimum grade of 2.0 is required; CHEM& 139  OR CHEM& 121  with a minimum grade of 2.0; and ENGL& 101  with a minimum grade of 2.0 is required, or instructor permission.

Course Description
Examination and comparison of the major non-animal eukaryotic kingdoms and divisions with emphasis on development, physiology, anatomy, taxonomy, plant evolution and adaptations. Introduction to ecosystems, population and community ecology. Laboratory included.

Student Outcomes
1. Identify and record observations of gross and microscopic features of algae, fungi, mosses, ferns and seed plants through preparation and examination of microscope slide specimens from local collections.
2. Identify evolutionary relationships and describe ecological roles among organisms belonging to the Domains.
3. Describe the reproductive life cycle of algae, mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms.
4. Explain the current understanding for the domination of seed plants and flowering plants in most terrestrial ecosystems.
5. Recognize fruits as defined in botanical terms and evaluate what type of flower or flowers, and other plant parts resulting in that fruit.
6. Describe plant cells and their organelles and contrast with animals cells.
7. Describe and compare the external structure, tissue type and arrangement of tissues and cells in roots, stems and leaves of vascular plants to identify of roots, stems and leaves and to correctly associate them with ferns, conifers or angiosperms.
8. Describe the cellular processes that generate longitudinal growth of stems and radial growth of perennial woody plants.
9. Distinguish accurately between monocot and eudicot angiosperms based on external structures and tissue arrangement in roots, leaves and stems.
10. Define various factors that influence plant growth such as the origin, timing, circulation and effects of plant hormones on plant growth, form and behavior.
11. Design, perform and interpret the results of an experiment that pertains to plant function, development or growth.
12. Describe the mechanisms used to explain water lifting against gravity and identify adaptations plants utilize to control water loss and factors affecting transpiration.
13. Describe the movement of solutions in the phloem and explain resource allocation within a plant.
14. Relate physical and chemical parameters of soil including accessibility of minerals to plant growth and nutrition.
15. Explain the interactions between plants, fungi and nitrogen fixing bacteria in regards to individual plants and ecosystems. Describe the consequences of the loss of these interactions.
16. Explain the effect of the rates of survivorship, age distributions, and reproductive strategies have on populations and population growth rates.
17. Explain how rates of survivorship, age distributions, reproductive strategies and carrying capacity, influence strategies to manage population of various species.
18. Describe the possible interactions between various living organisms, such as predator-prey, competition, mutualism, etc. Design experiments that can distinguish between these interactions.
19. Describe gross and net productivity in terms of photosynthesis and respiration.
20. Describe trophic levels and its effects on populations of top carnivores and bioaccumulation.
21. Describe the carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous biogeochemical cycles. Describe how humans have altered these cycles and the consequences.
22. Explain the concept of resource limitation and subsequent effects on both primary production and ecosystem productivity.
23. Assess the impact of endemic, introduced and native flora.
24. Identify by common name 20 local species of plants.



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