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.
Course Content
A. Evolutionary relatedness, characteristics, and reproduction cycles of photosynthetic protists, non-tracheophytes, fungi, seedless vascular plants, gymnosperms and angiosperms
B. Plant cell structure and function
C. Macro and microscopic features of roots, stems and leaves
D. Plant physiology: basic functions, plant hormones and factors affecting growth and development
E. Soil, nutrition and mechanisms of water movement
F. Population ecology
G. Community ecology
H. Ecosystem processes including biogeochemical cycles, gross and primary productivity and trophic levels
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.
Degree Outcomes
Information Competency: Graduates will be able to seek, find, evaluate and use information and employ information technology to engage in lifelong learning.
Natural Sciences: Graduates use the scientific method to analyze natural phenomena and acquire skills to evaluate authenticity of data/information relative to the natural world.
Lecture Contact Hours 30
Lab Contact Hours 40
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 70
Potential Methods
A. Exams: Combination of multiple choice, matching, completion, definition, short answer and essay questions with illustrations.
B. Instructor Observation: Instructor visually assesses either informally or formally (with a checklist) whether the student has successfully achieved the desirable outcome.
C. Oral Presentation: Presentation of subject concepts through verbal explanation from students either as individuals or as groups.
D. Group Activity: Examination of subject concepts or questions through a formalized group activity requiring active participation of all group members.
E. Laboratory Report: Presentation of laboratory experiment results in a brief written form including laboratory objectives and conclusions.
F. Laboratory Practicum: Use of student demonstration of techniques and student knowledge of actual organisms, scientific equipment and laboratory materials as a means of assessment.
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