| Unit name | Plant Evolution, Development and Diversity |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BIOL30007 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Jill Harrison |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None, but we recommend that students should have taken BIOL11000 or BIOL12000 |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Biological Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Aims
To describe the diversity and biology of plants in an evolutionary and phylogenetic context and to assess reasons for their extraordinary success.
Description
Flowering plants are the most important and most speciose group of land plants. This module aims to provide framework to study how differences in form between species came about during evolution. Specific areas to be addressed will include:
1) Frameworks for studying plant evolution
2) Morphological changes during the evolution
3) Genetic mechanisms underpinning the evolution
4) Plant/animal interactions in the radiation of flowering plants
5) The evolution of crop plants and crop improvement
The students will gain an understanding of the diversity and biology of flowering plants. Some grounding will be given in plant phylogenetics and systematics. Students will be introduced to new studies which integrate evolutionary biology and developmental genetics – ‘evo-devo’ – specifically within the context of flower evolution. Students will also gain a detailed understanding of aspects of the reproductive development and reproductive biology of flowering plants. The adaptive evolution of flowering plants will be discussed in relation to their reproductive biology and their interrelationships with pollinators.
Lectures, interactive seminars/workshops and independent study.
End of Session exam (100%).
Most of the lecture material for the specific subjects considered in this Unit is taken from research papers and is not covered in any one textbook. You will receive a recently-updated reading list at the start of teaching of this unit.
