BLG1603 PRACTICALS

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Monde Nyila PhD, Pr.Sci.Nat.

Department of Life and Consumer Science

20 January 2021
 Outline

1.Introduction
2. Schedule for the week
3. Wrap and the assessment including the

submission of the Portfolio tests

 Introduction

Why do we do practicals virtually?

Challenges posed by COVID -19

To try our utmost best to cover the most
important aspects in Biology practicals
Schedule for the week

The schedule is as follows:
 Day 1: Introduction to Microscopy
Plant form and function – Plant structure, growth and
development
   The Root system 
   The Shoot System: Stems and leaves  
 
Day 2:  Plant cells and tissues
Parenchyma cells
Collenchyma cells
Sclerenchyma cells
Day 3 
PLANT PHYLOGENY AND SYSTEMATICS
 Prokaryotes-  Basic cell shapes of bacteria
 
KINGDOM PROTOZOA-   PHYLUM: RHIZOPODA
                                                  Genus-
Amoeba                                            
Day 4
KINGDOM ANIMALIA (Acoelomata & Pseudocoelomata)
                                        PHYLUM: CNIDARIA
                                          Genus : Hydra
                                    PHYLUM:  PLATYHELMINTHES
                                        Genus: Taenia
Day 5: Wrap up and the assessment
The submission of the Portfolio
What is microscopy?
Microscopy is the technical field of using
microscopes to view samples and areas of
objects that cannot be seen with the unaided
eye (objects that are not within the resolution
range of the normal eye).
 
 

The Different Types of Microscopes

1.Stereo Microscope
2.Compound Microscope
3.Inverted Microscope
4.Metallurgical Microscope

5.Polarizing Microscope
Examples of compound microscopes
 More examples of compound
microscopes

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F
%2Fmicrobiologynote.com%2Fcompound-microscope-
definition-parts-application-working-principle
%2F&psig=AOvVaw3Fb5evnojjNz5d7zjT5RcJ&ust=161106245
1729000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAQQtaYDahcKEwi4
w6e-yaXuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQHg
Principle of microscopy

The general principle of microscopy in

biological microscope is that it is  mainly
consists of
an objective lens,
 ocular lens,
lens tube,
 stage, and
 reflector.
An object placed on the stage is
magnified through the objective lens. 
https://www. be.com/watch?v=eZX9U15F5Q8
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlwtTLKWYSY
End of microscopy and short MCQ Quiz

.
Plant form and function –
Plant structure, growth and development

The Root system 

A Plant consist of three basic plant organs roots, stems and

leaves that form a root system and a
shoot system. The shoot system consists of stems and leaves.
 
Roots:

do not have nodes and internodes;

do not carry leaves, flowers or fruits;
is protected by a root cap.
Functions of roots are anchoring of the plant and absorption o
water and nutrients

Check below the Youtube video

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diAtvWhKgRo
The Root system
Two types of root systems can be distinguished. A tap root system
and an adventitious root
system.

Tap root system

The radicle is the embryonic root found in the seed. It

emerges from the seed to form the primary
root that develops into the taproot system. Lateral roots
are roots that are produced by the pericyle
in the root

Examine the examples of the tap root system available.

Make a labelled drawing of one example of
a tap root system.
Labels: tap root, lateral root, tertiary root, stem
Adventitious root system

In monocots the primary root usually dies

early on and does not form a tap root. Instead
numerous
smaller roots emerge from the stem. This root
system is called an adventitious root system.

Examine the adventitious roots of the grasses.

Make a labelled drawing of one example of

the adventitious roots of grasses.
Labels: adventitious root, lateral root
 Modified roots

Roots can be modified to perform a specialized

function. Examples of modified roots are:
-prop roots that support top-heavy plants;
-root nodules that contain nitrogen fixating
bacteria;
-storage roots that stores water and nutrients;
-haustoria (parasitic roots) that absorb water and
nutrients from a host.

Check examples of modified roots in the workbook

Answer the following questions:
1. What are the functions of each of the modified roots studied?
Prop root
___________________________________________________
___________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________
Root nodule
___________________________________________________
___________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________
Haustorium
___________________________________________________
___________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________
Storage root
___________________________________________________
___________________________
The Shoot System: Stems and leaves

Shoot with simple leaves

Study the shoot with simple leaves and label the diagram.
Labels: axillary bud, leaf blade, petiole, internode, node
Shoot with compound leaves
Study the shoot with compound leaves and
label the diagram.
Labels: axillary bud, leaf blade of compound
leaf, internode, leaflet, node, petiole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulqN28D8ohg
Study the shoot with doubly
compound leaves and label the
diagram.
Labels: axillary bud, leaf blade
of doubly compound leaf,
internode, leaflet, node, petiole
 Shoot with simple parallel-
veined leaves
Study the shoot of a grass with simple
parallel-veined leaves and label the
diagram
Labels: leaf sheath, leaf blade, ligule,
auricle
Answer

Check the diagram in the workbook on page

Answer the following questions:
1. What are the functions of stems?
___________________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________
2. What are the functions of leaves?
___________________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________
3. Give the functions of each of the following parts of
leaves:
Petiole
___________________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________
Blade
___________________________________________
___________________________________
Continue and answer the questions on page 11
in the workbook

The shoot is the production center for a plant.

It is the organ system that gives rise to stems, leaves,
and flowers.
Therefore, the shoot system is functionally
responsible for food production (photosynthesis) and
reproduction.
Modified stems
Stems can also be modified to perform specialized functions
such as:
stolons are horizontal shoots that grow along the surface
and enable the plant to reproduce
asexually (vegetatively);
-rhizomes grow horizontally just below the soil surface and
store water and nutrients;
-tubers are the enlarge end of a rhizome and store starch.

Stolon of Duchesnea sp. (wild strawberry)

Study the material provided and make a labelled drawing.
Labels: stolon, node, internode, plantlet at node, compound
leaf, petiole, axillary bud
 Red stolons along the Silverweed cinquefoil
(Argentina anserina).
Rasbak
https://www.britannica.com/science/stolon-plant

Study other modified stems in the workbook

Modified leaves
Leaves can also be modified to perform specialized
functions:
-succulent leaves are fleshy and store water and nutrients;
-leave spines protect the plant against herbivores;
-leaf tendrils attach the plant to a support.

Succulent leaves of Carpobrotus sp.

Study the material provided and make a labelled drawing of
the succulent stem and succulent
leaves.
Labels: storage stem, storage leaf, position of axillary bud,
node, internode

Images of succulent leaves of Carpobrutus sp.

The succulent leaves hold water, making it a very
hardy plant for harsh conditions.
Leaf spines of Opuntia sp. (prickly pear)
Study the material provided and make a
labelled drawing.
Labels: leaf spine, fleshy stem, node,
internode

Figure : Leaf spines of Opuntia sp. (prickly pear)

Prickly spines break up the evaporative winds

blowing across pad surfaces and can help shade
the stem.
Leaf tendrils of Pisum sativum (garden pea)
Study the material provided and make a labelled
drawing.
Labels: position of axillary bud, node,
internode, stipule, petiole, lamina, leaflet, leaf
tendril

 Tendrils help in
climbing around the
support.
 Answer the following questions
1. What are the differences between roots,
stems and leaves?

Roots Stems Leaves

     

     

     

     

     
2. What is meant by “modified” plant organ?
 
 
 
3. What products are stored in
3.1 fleshy roots?
 
 
 
3.2 fleshy stems?
 
 
 
 
3.3 fleshy leaves
 Closing

Wrap-up for the day

What is next on Day 2?