KIGALI INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
INSTITUT DES SCIENCES ET TECHNOLOGIE
Avenue de l'Armée, B.P. 3900 Kigali, Rwanda
INSTITUTE EXAMINATIONS – ACADEMIC YEAR 2012-2013
END OF SEMESTER MAIN EXAMINATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
SCIENCE 3: APPLIED BIOLOGY
SECOND YEAR SEMESTER II
BIO 3221 – TAXONOMY OF HIGHER PLANTS
DATE:
/ /2013
TIME: 2 HOURS
MAXIMUM
MARKS = 60
INSTRUCTIONS
1. This paper contains TWO SECTIONS.
2. Section A: All questions are compulsory & carry THIRTY (30)
marks.
3. Section B: Answer any TWO (2) questions. Each carries FIFTEEN
(15) marks.
4. No written materials are allowed.
5. Write all your answers in the answer booklet provided.
6. Do not forget to write your Registration Number.
7. Do not write any answers on this question paper.
SECTION A. Compulsory. (/30marks)
1. What was Darwin’s contribution in plant classification during the 19th century?
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(2marks)
2. Enumerate the key features of the vascular plants.
(2marks)
3. Higher plants can be divided into two subgroups according to their life cycle.
Give the main characteristics of those subgroups.
(4marks)
4. Below are some higher plant families. Associate to each family key features.
Family
Key features
Fabaceae
…
(1mark)
Polygonaceae
…
(1mark)
Brassicaceae
…
(1mark)
Poaceae
…
(1mark)
5. Name six plant species that can be found in Kigali market with their respective
family names.
(3marks)
6. Give two reasons why Latin has been emphasized for use in labeling scientific
names.
(4marks)
7. What is wrong if a species name is written as follows: Zea Mays L.
(2marks)
8. Is the following statement true or false? ” In an evolutionary classification
system, the higher the taxon level, the more similar the members of the taxon
become. Justify your answer.
(2marks)
9. Using the ICBN recommendation of taxon termination for plant families, give the
names of the families whose genus types are listed below.
(6marks)
i) Solanum
ii) Acanthus
iii) Poa
iv) Typha
v) Aster
vi) Magnolia
Section B: Answer any two questions
1. Explain the classification system used by Theophrastus and discuss about its
gaps if compared with the modern systems of classification. Which among the
modern systems of classification is considered to be the best today? (15marks)
2. Suppose you were requested to make a flora survey in a specific area in order to
provide a full list of the scientific names for higher plants found in that area.
a) What kind of equipment will you need?
b) Explain how you will proceed when you will get to the field
c) Explain why you should be obliged to collect some plant specimens.
d) If you find a new specimenwhich has never been described before by
botanists, how will you proceed?
(15marks)
3. Discuss about the importance of taxonomy in general and its usefulness in
applied biology.
(15marks)
Good luck!