BLG1502/101/3/2019

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2019

Animal and Plant Diversity

BLG1502

Semesters 1 and 2

Department of Life and Consumer Sciences

This tutorial letter contains important information

about your module.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ...................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 3
2.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 3
3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................................... 4
3.1 Lecturer(s) .................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Department ................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 University ...................................................................................................................................... 4
4 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 4
4.1 Prescribed book(s) ........................................................................................................................ 4
4.2 Recommended book(s) ................................................................................................................. 4
4.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ................................................................................................... 4
4.4 Library services and resources information ................................................................................... 5
5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................ 5
6 STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 5
7 PRACTICAL WORK ..................................................................................................................... 5
8 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 5
8.1 Assessment criteria....................................................................................................................... 5
8.2 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 6
8.3 Assignment numbers .................................................................................................................... 6
8.3.1 General assignment numbers ....................................................................................................... 6
8.3.2 Unique assignment numbers ........................................................................................................ 6
8.4 Assignment due dates......................................................................................................................6

8.5 Submission of assignments .......................................................................................................... 7

8.6 The assignments .......................................................................................................................... 8
8.7 Other assessment methods .......................................................................................................... 8
8.8 The examination ........................................................................................................................... 8
9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 8
10 SOURCES CONSULTED ............................................................................................................. 8
11 IN CLOSING ................................................................................................................................. 8
12 ADDENDUM ................................................................................................................................. 8

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 BLG1502/101/3/2019
Dear Student

1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Animal and Plant Diversity (BLG1502) module offered to Biology student in the
Department of Life and Consumer Sciences UNISA Science Campus, FLORIDA. We trust that
you will find this academic year interesting stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable. You may initially
find the tutorial matter for this course difficult because we will be dealing with many terms and
concepts.
The terminology will, however, become part of your vocabulary as you study Biology. Your study
of this module will be fruitful and enjoyable only if you give it your full attention from the very start.

The staff of the Life Sciences Section of the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences will gladly
assist you, and you are welcome to contact us if any questions or problems arise during your
study. If at any stage while you are busy studying and you have queries that require immediate
attention feel free to contact us the staff of Life Sciences in the Department of Life and Consumer
Sciences, we are always available and ready to assist you with all matters related to this module.

NOTE: Our contact details are listed on Section 3 of this tutorial letter.

1.1 Tutorial matter

Some of this tutorial matter may not be available when you register. Tutorial matter that is not
available when you register will be posted to you as soon as possible, but is also available on
myUnisa.

2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES

2.1 Purpose
The purpose of this module is to acquaint students with basic biological principles of animal and
plant diversity. This will enhance the knowledge and understanding, gain more insight about
origin, structure, functions and uses of variety of plants, animals as well their interaction
with each other in their diverse natural environment.
2.2 Outcomes
The students should be able to:
 Understand phylogeny and systematics
 Describe the structure, composition and function of prokaryotic cells
 How plants adapted to life on land
 Explain life cycle of fungi, adaptations and ecological importance
 Make a flow diagram of the life cycles, indicating the gamete and sporophyte generation
 Identify and discuss the structure of the three basic organs of plant body, leaves, stems
and roots
 Describe the characteristics of three tissue systems that the organs are composed of
namely, dermal, vascular and ground tissue
 Understand animal reproduction (asexual and sexual)
 Define and name the classes of essential nutrients
 Understand the major functions of the organs that make up the mammalian digestive
system
 Describe the function of endocrine glands and their hormones
 Understand homeostasis and regulation of internal environment
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3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS
3.1 Lecturer(s)
All queries that are not of a purely administrative nature but are about the content of this module
should be directed to us. Please have your study material with you when you contact us.
Mr M H Mkhombo
B-Block Room 240B
Florida/Science Campus
E-mail: mkhommf@unisa.ac.za
Tel. (011) 471-2237 (RSA)
+27 11 471 2237 (International)
3.2 Department
Letters should be sent to:
Department of Life and Consumer Sciences:
Florida/Science Campus
Unisa
Private Bag X6
Florida
1710

3.3 University
Follow the procedures in Study @ Unisa to register as a user on myUnisa. By selecting the
“Course contact” option you will be able to contact the lecturer by e-mail. Please indicate your
student number when you contact the lecturer.

4 RESOURCES
4.1 Prescribed book
Biology: A Global Approach. 11th Edition. 2017. Campbell, N.A., Reece, J.B., Urry, L.S., Cain,
M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, R.B. Pearson Benjamin Cummings (San Francisco).
ISBN-10:1-292-17043-3.
ISBN-13: 978-1-292-17043-5.

If, however you can NOT get hold of the 11th edition you can buy the 9th or 10th editions. The two
editions are very close to the 11th edition. In addition, a transition table has been posted on
myUnisa under additional resources.

4.2 Recommended book(s)

No recommended books.

4.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

None

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4.4 Library services and resources
The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources:

 for detailed Library information go to

http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
 for research support and services (e.g. personal librarians and literature
search services) go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Research-support

The Library has created numerous Library guides: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

 request and download recommended material:

http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
 postgraduate information services:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
 finding and using library resources and tools:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
 Frequently asked questions about the Library: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
 Services to students living with disabilities:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/disability

5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Important information appears in Study @ Unisa brochure.

6 STUDY PLAN
Use Study @ Unisa brochure for general time management and planning skills.

7 PRACTICAL WORK
The module BLG1502 is concerned with theory only. However, certain aspects of this module will
be mentioned again in the practical module BLG1603 (BLG114L). You are strongly advised to
register for the practical module, BLG1603, because it will help you to understand subject matter
that may not be clear in the theory. Those of you who have registered for the practical module
should remember that you need to be thoroughly familiar with the theoretical work before you
attend the practical classes. The practical classes are presented in September at the
Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University.

8 ASSESSMENT
8.1 Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria is necessary to describe the standard that will be used to judge whether
the desired level of performance has been achieved by the student. Students will be examined
on the specific characteristics that contribute to the overall assignment. Students must
demonstrate their skills by being able to remember (knowledge), comprehension (understanding),
application, analysing and evaluation as well as creativity. These are the standards by which
learning is judged.

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8.2 Assessment plan
Formative assessment
For each semester, formative assessment will be constituted by Assignment 1 and Assignment
2. The assignment 1 and 2 will contribute 20% and 80% towards semester mark, respectively.

For example: Assignment 1 (20%) = Assign 1 Mark x 20%;

Assignment 2 (80%) = Assign 2 Mark x 80%;

Summative assessment
This is the final examination which is written at the end of the semester. Your mark for the
examination paper will be referred to as the examination mark.

The final mark

Your final mark will be calculated according to a prescribed 30:70 ratio of the semester mark to
the examination mark.

8.3 Assignment numbers

8.3.1 General assignment numbers
For each semester there are two assignments, namely Assignment 01 and Assignment 02. If
you are registered for Semester 1 you must only do assignments included for Semester 1.
Similarly, if you are registered for Semester 2 you must only do assignments included for
Semester 2. You are not allowed to submit assignments for the semester which you are not
registered for.

8.3.2 Unique assignment numbers

SEMESTER 1:

Assignment 1
Unique number: 562093

Assignment 2
Unique number: 802483

SEMESTER 2:

Assignment 1
Unique number: 611290

Assignment 2
Unique number: 870453

8.4 Assignment due dates

The due dates for submission of the assignments for this module for SEMESTER 1 students are:

Assignment 01 15 March 2019

Assignment 02 12 April 2019

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 BLG1502/101/3/2019
and for SEMESTER 2 students are:

Assignment 01 30 August 2019

Assignment 02 27 September 2019

8.5 Submission of assignments

You may submit written assignments and assignments done on mark-reading sheets either by
post or electronically via myUnisa. Assignments may not be submitted by fax or e-mail. For
detailed information and requirements as far as assignments are concerned, see the brochure
Study @ Unisa that you have received with your study material.

Assessments submitted by post should be addressed to:

The Registrar
PO Box 392
UNISA
0003

To submit an assignment via myUnisa:

 Go to myUnisa
 Log in with your student number and password
 Select the module
 Click on assignments in the left-hand menu.
 Click on the assignment number you want to submit.
 Follow the instructions on the screen.

How to receive fast online feedback and comment on your assignment

Unisa is implementing onscreen marking of assignments to help you receive quicker feedback
on your assignments. This will not be the case for all your modules, however, most modules
from the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences can be marked this way.

To allow us to mark your assignment onscreen, you need to do the following:

Convert your electronic assignment to PDF format.

How do I create a PDF document from any other document format (e.g. MS Word, MS
Excel etc)?
By quickly downloading FREE software (namely PrimoPDF), you can create a PDF
document from any type of document you can print. Follow these easy steps:
i. Go to the Internet to the following website: http://www.primopdf.com/index.aspx
ii. Download the PrimoPDF software by clicking on the DOWNLOAD FREE prompt.
Follow the instructions for installing the software.
iii. To create a PDF document from your assignment, go to your assignment on your
PC and instead of printing your assignment to an actual printer, choose PrimoPDF
as printer. To do this, click on the Microsoft Office Button (or ‘File’ button for

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 older versions of Microsoft), and then click Print. Then, choose from the drop-down
list the printer which in this case should be PrimoPDF).
iv. You will now receive a pop-up message. Click the “Create PDF” button. Indicate in
the “Save as:” pop-up where you want to save the PDF assignment on your PC.
v. The PDF version of your assignment will now appear for your viewing.

Submit the PDF document (your assignment) via myUnisa (online). For guidance on how to
submit an assignment via myUnisa, see section 8.4 of this tutorial letter or the Study @ Unisa
brochure.

8.6 The assignments

PLEASE NOTE: The objective of assignments is to guide you systematically through the contents
of the module, and not to burden you with a mass of writing. The assignments should be written
legibly and concisely, mentioning only the essentials and in seriatim (seriatim means point by
point). Comprehensive essays will only waste your time and ours.
Your prescribed books and study guide cover all the answers to the questions in the assignments.
Make use of the indexes in these books.
See Assignments from page 9 of this TUT101.
8.7 Other assessment methods
Not applicable.
8.8 The examination
Use Study @ Unisa brochure for general examination guidelines and examination preparation
guidelines.

9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Study @ Unisa brochure contains an A-Z guide of the most relevant study information.

10 SOURCES CONSULTED
None

11 IN CLOSING
It is exciting to have you as students for the module BLG1502. You are expected to work hard
and do all prescribed assignments. Please do not hesitate to contact the lecturer in case you
encounter any problems concerning the module.

12 ADDENDUM
Assignments

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 BLG1502/101/3/2019
ASSIGNMENTS

SEMESTER 1

Assignment 1
Unique Number: 562093
Due Date: 15 March 2019
Answer this assignment on your mark reading sheet with a HB pencil

Choose the correct answer for each of the following:

1. The scientific discipline concerned with naming of organisms is called _______.

1. Taxonomy
2. Cladistics
3. Binomial nomenclature
4. Systematics

2. The correct sequence from the most to the least comprehensive of the taxonomic levels listed
here, is….

1. family, phylum, class, kingdom, order, species, genus

2. kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
3. kingdom, phylum, order, class, species, family, genus
4. phylum, kingdom, order, class, species, family, genus

3. All fungi share which of the following characteristics?

1. Symbiotic
2. Heterotrophic
3. Flagellated
4. Pathogenic

4. Fusion of nuclei in fungi is called_______.

1. karyogamy
2. progamy
3. microgamy
4. pregamy

5. The main body of the fungi is called_______.

1. spores
2. mycelium
3. hypha
4. sporangia

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6. Land plant no longer required water as a medium for reproduction with the evolution of....

1. fruits and roots

2. flowers and leaves
3. lignified stems
4. seeds and pollen

7. The nonvascular plants are the....

1. algae and blue-green algae

2. fungi and slime and water moulds
3. hornworts, liverworts and mosses
4. flowering plants

8. Human beings belong to the species________.

1. Homo erectus
2. Homo habilis
3. Homo sapiens
4. Hominidae

9. Members of the kingdom Fungi generally differ from members of the kingdom Plantae in that
Fungi....

1. have cell walls

2. are multicellular
3. are heterotrophic
4. are both aquatic and terrestrial

10. Which of the following lists characteristics of a dicot?

1. Two cotyledons, branched leaf veins, complex arrangements of vascular tissue

2. Two cotyledons, a tap root, branched leaf veins
3. Two cotyledons, a fibrous root system, parallel leaf veins
4. One cotyledon, a tap root, branched leaf veins

11. The female gametophyte of an angiosperm is the_______.

1. embryo sac
2. mother cell
3. egg cell
4. antipodal cell

12. In gymnosperms pollination is exclusively by______.

1. water
2. wind
3. insects
4. animals

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13. Which of the following is not a characteristic that distinguishes gymnosperms

and angiosperms from other plants?
1. Dependent gametophytes
2. Integuments
3. Ovules
4. Alternation of generations

14. A gymnospermic leaf carries 16 chromosomes. The number of chromosomes in its

endosperm will be______.
1. 12
2. 8
3. 16
4. 24

15. In gymnosperms the microspores develop into_______.

1. eggs
2. seed cones
3. pollen grains
4. sporophyte

16. The fertilized egg is called _______.

1. ovum
2. blastocyst
3. diploid cell
4. zygote

17. The female gonads are called _______.

1. testes
2. ovaries
3. oestrogen
4. testosterone

18. Which of the following hormones are responsible for the "fight-or-flight" response?

1. Epinephrine and norepinephrine

2. Insulin and glucagon
3. Oestrogen and progesterone
4. Thyroxin and melatonin

19. Essential amino acids....

1. are vitamins that dissolve in fat

2. are the nine amino acids the body cannot produce
3. come from grains, legumes, nuts and seeds
4. are units of energy produced by proteins

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20. Which nutrient help absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K?

1. Fat
2. Carbohydrate
3. Protein
4. Vitamin B.

TOTAL: 20 MARKS
END OF ASSIGNMENT 01 (SEMESTER 1)

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Assignment 2
Unique number: 802483
Due Date: 12 April 2019

Answer all questions

QUESTION 1

1.1 Explain what is meant by biological systematics. (2)

1.2 Distinguish between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. (4)
1.3 Discuss the three ways in which genes are transferred between in bacteria cells. (6)
1.4 List and describe the three groups of prokaryotic metabolism with regard to oxygen. (3)
[15]
QUESTION 2

2.1 Write down the four general functions of stems. (4)

2.2 What is the advantage of apical dominance to a plant? (2)
2.3 Write down five additional functions that modified leaves can perform? (5)
[11]
QUESTION 3

3.1 By means of a labeled diagram, describe the life cycle of a moss, clearly distinguishing
the gametophyte and sporophyte generations. [15]

QUESTION 4

4.1 List three major plant organs and their functions. (6)
4.2 Explain what events occur in the zone of cell division, zone of elongation and zone
of differentiation. (3)
4.3 Explain the relationship between primary and secondary growth in plants. (4)
[12]

QUESTION 5

5.1 Write explanatory notes on the structure and functions of the following:
5.1.1 Dermal tissues.
5.1.2 Vascular tissues.
5.1.3 Ground issues.
[9]

QUESTION 6
6.1 Name five differences between angiosperms and gymnosperms. (5)
6.2 Describe the process of double fertilisation. (4)
6.3 Distinguish between bryophytes and pteridophytes and give an example each. (4)
6.4 Write down the functions of xylems and phloems. (2)
[15]

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QUESTION 7

7.1 Distinguish between regulators and conformers in terms of homeostasis. (6)

7.2 Name and describe the four classes of essential nutrients. (8)
[17]
QUESTION 8

8.1 Name the hormones secreted by the:

8.1.1 Adrenal gland. (2)

8.1.2 Pancreas. (2)
8.1.3 Ovaries. (2)
[6]

TOTAL: 100 MARKS

END OF ASSIGNMENT 02 (SEMESTER 1)

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 BLG1502/101/3/2019
SEMESTER 2

Assignment 1
Unique Number: 611290
Due Date: 30 August 2019

Answer all questions

1. Which of the following is the correct taxonomic name for the the species to which all modern
human beings belong?
1. Homo sapien
2. homo sapien
3. Homo sapien
4. Homo Sapien
2. The branch of biology that is concerned with identifying, naming and classifying organisms is
called _____.

1. taxidermy
2. ecology
3. systematics
4. taxonomy

3. Phenomenon of organisms resembling others for escaping from enemies is_______.

1. adaptation
2. mimicry
3. homology
4. analogy

4. The male gametophytes of flowering plants are also referred to as_________.

1. male sporophytes
2. megaspores
3. endosperm
4. pollen grains

5. Mycorrhiza is the phenomenon correctly described as....

1. parasitic association between roots and some fungi

2. symbiotic relationship between fungi and roots of some higher plants
3. symbiosis of algae and fungi
4. relation of ants with the stem of some trees.

6. Which of the following is unique to flowering plants?

1. Haploid gametophyte
2. Double fertilisation
3. Dominant sporophyte generation
4. Pollen production

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7. Which of the following is found in seed plants?

1. Roots, stems and leaves

2. Complex vascular tissue
3. Pollen grains that are not flagellated
4. Retention of megasporophyte within the ovule

8. The moist membranes of the respiratory tract are protected by______.

1. a dry epidermal surface

2. cartilage rings
3. mucus and cilia
4. roving macrophages from the lymphatic system

9. Which is not a characteristic of fungi?

1. Most are single celled
2. It is a saprophyte
3. It is a decomposer
4. It lives near moist areas

10. The process by which two cells arise from one is known as______.

1. meiosis
2. conjugation
3. binary fission
4. mitosis

11. Which of the following characteristics of plants is absent in the closest relatives, the
charophytes?

1. Chlorophyll b
2. Cellulose in cell walls
3. Sexual reproduction
4. Alternation of generations

12. Which cell parts are only found in plant cells?

1. Chloroplasts and ribosomes
2. Ribosomes and mitochondria
3. Chloroplasts and cell wall
4. Chloroplasts and nucleus

13. An example of a connective tissue is the....

1. nerves
2. cuboidal epithelium
3. skin
4. blood

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14. Immediately after ovulation into the coelom, an egg is collected into the ______.

1. uterus
2. oviduct
3. ovary
4. vagina

15. Homeostasis is….

1. tendency to charge with change in environment
2. tendency to resist change
3. disturbance in regulatory control
4. plants and animal extracts used in homeopathy

16. To leave the digestive tract, a substance must cross a cell membrane. During which stage of
food processing does this take place?

1. Digestion
2. Elimination
3. Absorption
4. Ingestion

17. The water-soluble vitamins include...

1. vitamins A, D, E, and K
2. vitamin A and the B group
3. the B vitamins and vitamin C
4. vitamins C, D, E, and K

18. Which of the following is a function of the circulatory system?

1. Producing mucus
2. Transporting nutrients
3. Eliminating hormones
4. Producing wastes

19. Which of the following is not part of the circulatory system?

1. Heart
2. Lungs
3. Blood
4. Blood vessels

20. When air temperature exceeds their body temperature, jackrabbits living in hot, arid lands
will….

1. dilate the blood vessels in their large ears

2. constrict the blood vessels in their large ears
3. increase movements to find a sunny area
4. begin involuntary shivering of their skeletal muscles

TOTAL: 20 MARKS
END OF ASSIGNMENT 01 (SEMESTER 2)

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Assignment 2
Unique number: 870453
Due Date: 27 September 2019

QUESTION 1
1.1 Compare photoautotrophy and chemoheterotrophy. (3)
1.2 Differentiate between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. (2)
1.3 Distinguish between bryophytes and pteridophytes. (8)
1.4 Compare sclerenchyma and collenchyma with regards to:

1.4.1 Structure and composition of the cell wall.

1.4.2 Functions.
1.4.3 Positions in plants. (10)
[23]
QUESTION 2
2.1 Describe the binomial system of classification. (6)
2.2 Name the different hierarchical classification groupings. (6)
2.3 Name the five characteristics that define land plants. (5)
[17]
QUESTION 3

3.1 Distinguish between pollination and fertilisation. (6)

3.2 By means of a diagram explain the process of double fertilization flowering plants. (8)
[14]
QUESTION 4
4.1 Distinguish between malnutrition and undernutrition. (4)
4.2 Name the three enzymes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates and where they are
found. (6)
[10]
QUESTION 5

5.1 Differentiate between endocytosis and pinocytosis. (4)

5.2 Distinguish between diffusion and osmosis. (4)
5.3 Explain the process of osmoregulation. (3)
[11]
QUESTION 6

6.1 Describe the life cycle of the pine, clearly distinguishing between the gametophyte and
sporophyte generations. [15]

QUESTION 7
7.1 Define homeostasis and explain how animals maintain constant body temperature. (6)
7.2 Distinguish between the process of cellular respiration and fermentation. (4)
[10]

TOTAL: 100 MARKS

END OF ASSIGNMENT 02 (SEMESTER 2)

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