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PTS710S-PLANT STUDIES 2-1ST OPP- JUNE 2024 |
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n Am I BI A u n IVER s I TY
OF SCIEnCE Ano TECHnOLOGY
FACULTYOF HEALTH,NATURAL RESOURCESAND APPLIEDSCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NATURALRESOURCESSCIENCES
QUALIFICATION: BACHELOROF NATURALRESOURCESMANAGEMENT
QUALIFICATION CODE: 07BNRS
LEVEL: 7
COURSECODE: PTS710S
COURSENAME: Plant Studies 2
DATE:JUNE 2024
DURATION: 2 HOURS
MARKS: 100
FIRSTOPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER
EXAMINER(S} Prof. J.M. Kamwi
MODERATOR: Prof. E. Kwembeya
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write clearly and neatly.
3. Number the answers clearly.
PERMISSIBLEMATERIALS
1. Examination question paper
2. Answering book
THIS QUESTION PAPERCONSISTSOF 3 PAGES(Excluding this front page)
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1. Plant taxa are classified hierarchically by rank, in which a higher rank is inclusive of all
lower ranks. A family may consist of several genera, each having a unique variation of
the characteristic(s) that set them apart. Additionally, a genera may consist of several
species, each with a unique variation of the defining trait.
1.1 Give an example of this within the family Combretaceae.
[4]
1.2 Contrast the leaf arrangements of the two Combretaceae genera studied.
[2]
2. Why do angiosperms have such a wide variety of secondary metabolites?
[2]
3. Describe the process by which plants and their predators co-evolve.
[2]
4. Describe the terms of the material transfer agreement (MTA) that the NBRI is bound [2]
by.
5. What does the term herbaria mean?
[2]
6. What is the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRl)'s mission?
[2]
7. Explain the functions of National Plant Genetic Resources Center at the NBRI
[2]
8. The samara of the genus Terminalia are distinguished by having a single wing circling [2]
the seed. It goes without saying that other species that do not belong to Terminalia
possess this trait. Mention a species of that kind and name its substrate.
9. Column A's taxonomy is useful for a variety of purposes. From the list in column B, [6]
select the use that is most crucial. NB: You may pick "no use" in column B more than
once. For example (1); D, write down the number from column A and the matching
letter from column B.
Column A - taxon
Column B - important use
(1) Colophospermum mopane
A. Aromatic resin
(2) Combretum apiculatum
B. Browse for giraffe
(3) Burkea africana
C. Tanning leather
(4) Boscia a/bitrunca
D. Browse for kudu
(5) Elephantorrhiza suffruticosa
E. Timber
(6) Commiphora wildii
F. Fire wood
10. Provide the species families listed in question 9 (paying close attention to spelling). [6]
Together with the family name, write the number from column A.
11. Sort the species listed below into their appropriate subfamilies. Note the [18]
corresponding letter from column Band the number from column A.
REMEMBER:A subfamily may contain many species.
COLUMNA - SUBFAMILY
COLUMNB - SPECIES
(1) Mimosoideae
A. Pterocarpus angolensis
(2) Caesalpinioideae
B. Philenoptera vio/acea
(3) Papilionoideae
C. Mundulea sericea
D. Guibourtia coleosperma
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E. Erythrina decora
F. Abrus precatorius
G. Colophospermum mopane
H. Peltophorum africanum
H. Baphia massaiensis
J. Baikiaea plurijuga
K. Burkea africana
L. Elephantorrhiza suffruticosa
M. Albizia anthelmintica
N. Dichrostachys cinerea
0. Faidherbia albida
P. Acacia reficiens
Q. Acacia luederitzii
R. Erythrophleum africanum
12. Distinguish a petiole from a petiolule?
[2]
13. Which two characteristics enable angiosperms to dominate over other plant species in [2]
the majority of terrestrial ecosystems?
14. The following characteristics are typical of some of the most important grass species in [4]
Namibia. Identify the species and indicate the grazing value of the grass species e.g.
decreaser or increaser.
a. Description
Soft, tufted perennial, with oblique, creeping rhizome and dense basal leaf-cover.
Culms erect, slender, unbranched, with one node, up to 0.9 m high. Leaf blade often
pinkish or purplish, concentrated at base of plant, tapering to sharp, pointed tip,
strongly curled when dry, with or without long, soft hairs. Ligule a fringe of short hairs.
Leaf sheath striate, with or without hairs, somewhat squarish in cross-section.
Inflorescence a stiff, inflexible, open or slightly contracted panicle, 50-250 mm long,
only slightly branched.
Spikelets up to 20 mm long, strongly flattened, may be an even width throughout or
pointed, pale green or dark olive-green.
b. Description
Loosely tufted annual. Culms usually geniculate to decumbent, often rooting at lower
nodes, up to 400 mm high. Leaf blade flat, clasping at rooting at owe nodes, up to 400
mm high. Leaf blade flat, clasping at base, short, up to 60 x 4 mm; margin with evenly
spaced bristly hairs. Ligule membranous, margin hairy. Leaf sheath rounded, smooth.
Inflorescence a loosely spike-like raceme, up to 70 mm long, often enclosed by upper
leaf sheath near base.
Spikelets covered with hooked barbs, densely clustered, on short stalks. 3.5-5 mm
long, falling readily when mature, with a tendency to attached to clothes and fur.
15. Describe the stems and tendrils of the members of the Cucurbitaceae family ..
[1]
16. It is common for non-plant experts to mistakenly refer to a certain plant's flowers [4]
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when, in reality, they are referring to the entire inflorescence. Describe how a flower
and an inflorescence differ.
17. The calyx of the majority of Ebenaceae members is permanent. Usetwo genera of this [4]
family in Namibia and discuss this statement.
18. Use the given descriptions to provide the following information about each species:
(a) scientific name; (b) family; (c) economic significance in Namibia; and (d)
distribution within the country. Extra credit for using common names.
18.1 Large, beautiful, deciduous tree that reaches a height of 10 to 18 meters, and [4]
occasionally much higher, with a dense, spreading crown, imparipinately compound
leaves, male and female flowers on different trees, and edible, spherical, tough-
skinned fruit that is pale creamy yellow when ripe.
18.2 A tree that can grow up to 12 meters high and has a rounded crown. It has simple [4]
leaves that are arranged in a spiral or alternate pattern. When the fruit ripens, it
resembles an ovoid-oblong berry and is very juicy and yellow in color.
18.3 Small tree or shrub with a V form, 2-3 pairs of bipinnately compound leaves, 1-2 [4]
leaflets per pinna, leaflets measuring 10 x 5 mm, sharply curled paired thorns at
nodes, round, creamy white heads of flowers, and white Ientice ls on the bark.
19. Give one word/ term for the following:
[5]
a) The place responsible for storing and preserving dried plants
b) The father of modern taxonomy
c) The arrangement of organisms from most primitive to most advanced
d) The very first specimen described of any taxon
e) The ministry responsible for protecting forests in Namibia
20. The following plant species are all very representative of a certain type of vegetation [4]
found in Namibia. Identify the type of plant that each is found in.
a) Acacia hereroensis
b) Acanthosicyos horridus
c) Pterocarpus angolensis
d) Spirostachys africana
21. Explain the fruit, inflorescence, and leaves for each of the following.
[12]
a) Maerua juncea
b) Ozoroa panicu/osa
c) Searsia lancea
d) Combretum hereroensis