B.Sc. DEGREE EXAMINATION, SEPTEMBER 2009
Faculty of Sciences
Part III – Group IV – Botany (Main)
Paper III – TAXONOMY, ECONOMIC BOTANY, EMBRYOLOGY OF ANGIOSPERMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2006 admission onwards, Regular/Failed)
Time: Three Hours, Maximum: 50 Marks
Draw diagrams only hen specified
Section A (Taxonomy)
I. Answer any five of the following in few words: (5 X 1 = 5 marks)
1. Name the fruit of Citrus.
2. What is Spadix?
3. What is the morphology of labellum?
4. What is lomentum? Give an example.
5. Define adnation.
6. What is the nature of Androecium in Cucurbitaceae?
7. Linnaeus published ‘Species Plantarum’ in 1753. State whether true or false.
II. Answer any three of the following in 30 words each: (3 X 2 = 6 marks)
8. Distinguish between Epigyny and Perigyny.
9. Explain the morphology of column in Orchidaceae.
10. List out any four primitive characters of Annonaceae.
11. Assign the following plants to their respective families:
a. Arachis hypogea
b. Leucas aspera
c. Coffea rabica
d. Eugenia caryophyllata
III. Answer any one of the following in 50 words: (1 X 3 = 3 marks)
12. Give the economic importance of the family Apiaceae.
13. Explain how palynology is useful in tackling problems of taxonomy.
IV. Answer any one of the following in 150 words: (1 X 6 = 6 marks)
14. Compositae/Asteraceae is undoubtedly the most highly advanced family among dicots. Substantiate.
15. Give an account of Bentham and Hooker’s system of classification. Mention two merits and demerits of the system.
Section B (Economic Botany and Embryology)
V. Answer any two of the following in 50 words: (2 X 3 = 6 marks)
16. Briefly describe the process of micro-sporogenesis.
17. Name any six common fruits available in Kerala. Write the binomial, family and importance of those fruits.
Or
Mention the significance of ethnobotany. Give the binomial of any three plants used by the tribes of Kerala and their uses.
VI. Answer any six of the following (6 X 1 = 6 marks)
18. Define perisperm.
19. What is Apomixis?
20. What are antipodals?
21. Name any two insecticide plants.
22. Give the botanical name of jute.
23. Assign cardamom to the respective family.
24. Morphology of coir and coconut.
25. Name a plant with helobial endosperm.
Section C (Environmental Biology)
VII. Answer any four of the following: ( 4 X 1 = 4 marks)
26. Expand IUCN.
27. What is Acid Rain?
28. Any two method by which biological control of pests are being effected.
29. Bacteria associated with the conversion of nitrites to nitrates.
State whether True or False:
30. The primary production passes through various trophic levels, at each transfer level some proportion of the energy content is lost as heat.
31. Homoeostasis actually means constancy maintained by negative feedback and individuals of any community seem inter-related by homoeostasis.
VIII. Answer any four of the following in 30 words each: (4 X 2 = 8 marks)
32. What is Endemism?
33. Difference between national parks and Sanctuaries.
34. What are Halophytes? Mention their significance
35. Write a short note on ecological indicators.
36. Mention the significance of dry-land farming.
37. Briefly explain the role of population education in solving problems of Human population.
IX. Answer any one of the following in 150 words ( 1 X 6 = 6 marks)
38. What are the different stages of ecological succession? Explain with suitable example.
39. Describe the vegetation types of India
