Hierarchy of Lower Plants

Paper Code: 
25BOT123
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

  1. To understand the evolution of different groups of lower plants and their economic importance.
  2. To acquire knowledge about the diversity of lower forms of plant kingdom.
  3. To transmit information about applied aspects of the organisms listed in the syllabus
  4. To study the specified forms in natural conditions (field trips) as well as in the laboratory.

 

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25BOT123

 

Hierarchy of Lower Plants

 

CO13: Develop an understanding of the nature of association in lichen and use it to analyse their applications as well as the morphology, reproduction and economic importance of cyanobacteria

CO14: Evaluate the contribution of various Indian scientist in the field of phycology and bryology and develop an insight into the evolution of these organisms (including fossils), their morphological diversity, modes of reproduction and classification.

CO15: Analyse the life cycle of important algal genera with emphasis on their general characters, classification and economic importance.

CO16: Analyse the life cycle of some important Bryophytes with emphasis on their general characters, classification and economic importance.

CO17: Study the applications of Algae and Bryophytes in various spheres of day-to-day life.

CO18: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in Teaching:

Interactive

Lectures

Powerpoint presentation, Animations, Tutorials

Learning Activities for the students:

Peer teaching, Model preparation,

Seminars

Think-pair-share, Flipped classroom

 

 

 

One minute paper, Quizzes & Polls, oral presentations, field projects Semester end examinations

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Lichens and Cyanobacteria

Lichens: Classification, nature of association, distribution and types, nutrition and reproduction of lichen thalli; Role of lichens in succession, anti-microbial properties of lichens, lichens as bio indicators of air pollution, economic importance of lichens.

Cyanobacteria: Classification, structure and reproduction, origin and affinities with bacteria; economic importance and their role in improving soil fertility.

General characters, life history and economic importance of Scytonema and Rivularia

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Algae and Bryophytes

A general account along with classification, structure, range of thallus, reproduction and evolutionary history.

Indian contributors in the field of Phycology and Bryology. A brief account of Palaeobotanical evidence of Algae and Bryophytes.                                                                                                      

12.00
Unit III: 
Algae

General characters, classification, life history and economic importance of  

Prochlorophyta: Prochloron

Chlorophyta: Chlorella, Coleochaete

Xanthophyta: Vaucheria

Phaeophyta:  Laminaria

Rhodophyta:  Ceramium

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Bryophytes

General characters, classification, life history and economic importance of Hepaticopsida: Plagiochasma, Anthocerotopsida:  Notothylus

Bryopsida:  Polytrichum, Takakia.

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Recent trends in Phycology and Bryology

Algae as a rich source of protein (SCP), algae in space, algae as biofertilizers, algal blooms, algae in food and industry, algae in pharmaceuticals and parasitic algae. Benthic algae and factors affecting their environment.

Economic Importance of Bryophytes with special reference to Ecology, as pollution indicators and in monitoring pollution, antimicrobial properties of bryophytes, geobotanical prospects. 

Essential Readings: 

Essential Readings:

  • Fritsch, F. E. (1977). The structure and reproduction of the algae. Cambridge, Eng: Cambridge University Press.
  • Kumar, H. D. (1999). Introductory Phycology. New Delhi: Affiliated East-West Press Private.
  • Vashishta, B.R. (2005) Bryophyta Reprint S.Chand and Co. Limited.
  • Vashishta, B.R. (2005) Algae Reprint S.Chand and Co. Limited.
  • Morris, I. (1986). An Introduction to Algae Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, UK
  • Sharma, O. P. (2007). Textbook of algae. New Delhi [etc.: Tata Mc Graw-Hill Publishing.
  • Parihar, N. S. (1970). Bryophyta. Allahabad: Central Book depot. (Reprint)
  • Puri, P. 1980. Bryophyta. Atma Ram & Sons, Delhi.
  • Smith, Gilbert T. M. (1955). Cryptogamic botany. New York [U.A.]: McGraw-Hill.

 

Suggested Readings:

  • Verma, J. P., Jayaraman, J. (2002). Fundamentals of Plant acteriology. India: Kalyani.
  • Pandey, BP and Trivedi, P.S. 1998. A Text Book of Algae. Vikas Publishing House.
  • Tortora, G. J., Funke, B. R., & Case, C. L. (2021). Microbiology: An introduction. Harlow : Pearson education Limited, [2021]
  • Round, F E. 1986. The Biology of Algae. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
  • Jain, Singh, Pande ; 2014. A Textbook of Botany;  Rastogi Publications

 

References: 

e-Resources:

 

Journals:

  • Algal Research (Elsevier)
  • International Journal on Algae (Begell House)
  • Journal of Phycology (Phycological Society of America)
  • Journal of Bryology(Taylor-Francis)
  • Advances in Research with Bryophytes(MDPI)

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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