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This module will provide students with an understanding of basic plant morphology and its importance for the functioning of plants. Students will relate the internal structure of plants to their external morphology and the functions of the different plant organs. Students will also obtain an understanding of the development of plant structure, major morphological and eco-physiological adaptive innovations, and important plant groups over evolutionary time scales.
Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
1. Describe the vegetative and reproductive morphology of plants
2. Describe the functions of various plant organs and their modification for adaptation
3. Prepare and collect specimens for herbarium by using morphological characters
4. Identify the main plant organs used in identification, classification and description of plants
5. Demonstrate how modifications of existing plant structures can lead to better environmental adaptations
6. Predict the life history strategies of plants based on their morphology
7. Evaluate the limitations and advantages of certain plant traits for survival in specific environments
8. Assess how environmental change can provide advantages as well as disadvantages for certain plant groups due to their morphology
9. understand the protocols for managing and maintaining herbaria and other methods of conserving plant collections
10. use the software Microsoft Excel to manage and maintain herbaria collections and other types of plant collections