A scientist has come across a plant which he feels is a new species. How will he go about its identification, classification and nomenclature? .
Obviously, nomenclature or naming is only possible when the organism is described correctly. This is identification. Reference collections of plant specimens are collected into herbarium and identified. Most plant parts are dried, pressed, mounted on herbarium sheets and stored.
. Classification is the process by which anything is grouped into convenient categories based on some easily observable characters. The earliest systems of classification used only gross superficial morphological characters such as habit, colour, number and shape of leaves, etc. They were based mainly on vegetative characters or on the androecium structure (system given by Linnaeus). Such systems were artificial.
• Natural classification systems is based on natural affinities among the organisms and consider, not only the external features, but also internal features, like ultra-structure, anatomy, embryology and phytochemistry. Natural system of classification for flowering plants was given by George Bentham and Joseph Dalton Hooker, in three volume of Genera Plantarum.
• At present phylogenetic classification systems basad on evolutionary relationships between the various organisms are acceptable. This assumes that organisms belonging to the same taxa have a common ancestor. First phylogenetic system was proposed by Engler and Prantlin monograph ‘Die NaturlichenPflanzenFamilien'.
• In order to facilitate the study, number of scientists have established procedures to assign a scientific name to each known organism. This is acceptable to biologists all over the world. The system of providing scientific names is called Binomial nomenclature.
• Each name has two components—the Generic name and the specificepithet. This system of providing a name with two components is called Binomial nomenclature. This naming system given by Carolus Linnaeus is being practiced by biological all over the world. This naming using a two word format was found convenient.
Some of the properties of tissues are not the constituents of its cells. Give three examples to support the statement.
Given below is the scientific name of mango. Identify the correctly written name.
Mangifera Indica Mangifera indica
Amoeba multiplies by mitotic cell division. Is this phenomena growth or reproduction? Explain.
Which is the largest botanical garden in the world? Name a few well known botanical gardens in India.
Match the following and choose the correct option.
| A. | Family | (0 | tuberosum |
| B. | Kingdom | (ii) | Polymoniales |
| C. | Order | (iii) | Solarium |
| D. | Species | (iv) | Plantae |
| E. | Genus | (v) | Solanaceae |
Options:
(a) D—(i), C—(ii), E—(iii), B—(iv), A-(v)
(b) E—(i), D—(ii), B—(iii), A—(iv), C-
(d) E—(i), €—(ii), B—-(iii), A-(iv), D-(v)
What is the similarity and dissimilarity between "whole moong daal"and "broken moong daal"in terms of respiration and growth? Based on these parameters classify them into living or nonliving?
Can you identify the correct sequence of taxonomical categories?
(a) Species —> Order —> Phylum —> Kingdom
(b) Genus—) Species—> OrderKingdom
(c) Species —> Genus —>Order —> Phylum
Brassica compestris Linn
a. Give the common name of the plant.
b. What do the first two parts of the name denote?
c. Why are they written in italics?
d. What is the meaning of Linn written at the end of the name?
Try to collect all the currently accepted meanings for the word ‘species’. Discuss with your teacher the meaning of species in case of higher plants and animals on one hand, and bacteria on the other hand.
Linnaeus is considered as Father of Taxonomy. Name two other botanists known for their contribution to the field of plant taxonomy.
Properties of cell organelles are not always found in the molecular constituents of cell organelles. Justify.
A ball of snow when rolled over snow increases in mass, volume and size. Is this comparable to growth as seen in living organisms? Why?
In a given habitat we have 20 plant species and 20 animal species. Should we call this as ‘diversity' or ‘biodiversity'? Justify your answer. –
What are taxonomical aids? Give the importance of herbaria and museums. How are Botanical gardens and Zoological parks useful in conserving biodiversity?
A scientist has come across a plant which he feels is a new species. How will he go about its identification, classification and nomenclature? .
Define and understand the following terms:
(i) Phylum (ii) Class (iii) Family
(iv) Order (v) Genus
Define a taxon. What is meant by taxonomic hierarchy? Give a flow diagram from the lowest to highest category for a plant and an animal. What happens to the number of individuals and number of shared characters as we go up the taxonomical hierarchy?
A student of taxonomy was puzzled when told by his professor to look for a key to identify a plant. He went to his friend to clarify what ‘Key' the professor was referring to? What would the friend explain to him?