Biology of Plants Lesson 4

BIOL 020

Lesson 4 Assignment

Name_____________ _____ PSU ID________________________

Questions for Submission (75 pts total)

Answer each of the following questions as completely as possible. Your answers should be no longer than a few sentences.

(5 pts) 1. Define the terms gene, homologous chromosome and allele. How are they related to each other?

Gene: the hereditary material, DNA, found in chromosomes that is organized into units that are called Genes. Homologous chromosome: During meiosis an offspring will have two genes. One gene will be received on a specific chromosome from one parent and the second gene will come from the other parent and will be put on the homologous chromosome.

Alleles: are the two most common alternate forms that genes exist in.

All these terms interwine to make up genetics, which is the study of inheritance.

(10 pts) 2. What are the evolutionary advancements associated with land plants?

Evolutionary advancements associated with land plants is adaptation. Plants will adapt based on the changing environment and evolve through the mechanism known as natural selection.

(5 pts) 3. In the taxonomic hierarchy there are many ranks. What are the two terms called that make up species name? Who came up with this idea of a binomial name? Give an example.

Genus & Epithets, which was created by Carolus Linnaeus. An example is Quercus Phellos, which is the scientific name for willow oak.

(10 pts) 4. What is taxonomy? What is the three-fold purpose of taxonomy? Briefly explain your answer.

Taxonomy is the science of naming & classifying plants. The three-folded purpose of taxonomy is families that are grouped into orders, orders into classes, classes into divisions, and divisions into kingdoms.

(10 pts) 5. What are the main groups of land plants outlined by your text and this commentary? Which of the algal groups is believed to be the...