BI 153 - Plant Biology

1. Describe the processes by which plants are studied.
2. Explain the structure and function of plant cells, tissues, and organs, and identify the anatomical structures of selected organisms.
3. Explain the physiological processes of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, water and sugar transport, stomatal opening and closing, and the regulation of growth processes by hormones.
4. Explain the evolutionary relationship between the green algae and land plants and give evidence for that relationship.
5. Discuss the evolutionary trends in the Kingdom Plantae and how these have allowed plants to radiate into virtually every habitat.
6. Apply the rules of systematics and binomial nomenclature to the naming and classification of selected organisms.
7. Diagram and describe the life cycles of selected organisms.
8. Adapt and evaluate processes to find solutions to multistep or multi component problems. 
9.  Apply general science or mathematics principles to explain an observed phenomenon or the results of an experiment. 
10. Develop hypotheses and draw and express conclusions based on mathematical or scientific theory and/or experimentation. 
11. Discern relevant and irrelevant information when seeking the solutions to problems. 
12. Use calculation and measurement to solve problems, and use estimation to evaluate if the outcome to the problem is reasonable. 
13. Use experimentation or practice to experience and deepen understanding of scientific and mathematical theories. 
14. Create a written summary of the main ideas extracted from information gathered. (CS1)
15. Create and/or organize data and information into meaningful patterns in order to interpret and draw inferences from it. (CT3)

  A. What is a plant?

  B. How plants are studied?

  C. The Process of Science

II. Chemistry for Biology

  A. Atoms and Molecules

  B. Bonds

  C. Acids and Bases

  D. Properties of Water

III. Plant Anatomy

  A. Plant Cells and their Organelles

  B. The Endosymbiosis of Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

  C. Plant Tissues

  D. Meristematic Tissues and Mitosis

  E. Herbaceous Root Structure and Development

  F. Herbaceous Stem Structure and Development

  G. Woody Root and Woody Stem Structure and Development

  H. Leaf Structure and Development

  I. Adaptations of Plants - Hydrophytes, Xerophytes, and Carnivory

IV. Plant Physiology

  A. Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

  B. Water and Transpiration

  C. Sugar Transport

  D. Stomatal Control

  E. Plant Hormones and their Roles in Development

  F. Plant Nutrients

V. Evolution and Systematics

  A. Species and Speciation

  B. Phylogenetics and Classification

  C. Introduction to the Major Groups of Organisms

VI. Relationships of Plants with Other Organisms

  A. Cyanobacteria

  B. Fungi

  C. Phyla Chlorophyta and Charophyta

  D. Evidence for Chlorophyta as Ancestors of Land Plants

VII. Kingdom Plantae

  A. Evolution of Land Plants

  B. Plant Life Cycles and Meiosis

  C. Bryophytes

    1. Phylogeny of Bryophytes

    2. Diversity of Bryophytes

    3. Bryophyte Anatomy

    4. Moss and Liverwort Life Cycles

    5. Spore Dispersal Mechanisms of the Mosses and Liverworts

    6. Economic Importance and Ecological Role of Bryophytes

  D. Seedless Vascular Plants

    1. Phylogeny of Seedless Vascular Plants

    2. Diversity of Seedless Vascular Plants

    3. The Origin of Leaves - Microphylls and Megaphylls

    4. Anatomy of Selected Seedless Vascular Plants

    5. Homospory vs. Heterospory

    6. Life Cycles of Selected Seedless Vascular Plants

    7. Spore Dispersal Mechanisms of Selected Seedless Vascular Plants

  E. Gymnosperms

    1. Phylogeny of Gymnosperms

    2. Diversity of Gymnosperms

    3. Anatomy of Pinophyta

    4. Life Cycle of Pinophyta

    5. Development of the Seed and Embryo

  F. Angiosperms

    1. Phylogeny of Angiosperms

    2. Diversity of Angiosperms

    3. Anatomy of Angiosperms

      a. Monocots and Eudicots

      b. Floral Structure and Variation

      c. Fruit Structure and Variation

      d. Seed Structure and Variation

    4. Angiosperm Life Cycle

    5. Fruit and Seed Dispersal Mechanisms

    6. The Process of Seed Germiniation

Bonus/Extra Credit: May only be given in the lecture portion of the course and may not exceed 2% of the total possible points in the course.

Objective Assessment: 50-80%

Written Assessment: 0-20%

On-line Assignments: 0-20%

Lab Sketchbook: 0-10%

Service Learning: 0-10%

A portion of the final exam must be comprehensive.

Essential Abilities – Biological Sciences

The Grand Rapids Community College Biological Sciences Department faculty has specified essential abilities critical to the success of students in its courses.  Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities with or without reasonable accommodations.

1. Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and comprehend scientific observations of the natural world for the purpose of problem solving and coming to appropriate conclusions which include distinguishing between correlation and causation.
2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include: ability to use the senses of seeing, hearing, touch, and smell to make correct observations, judgments, and conclusions regarding the world of biological sciences.  Students must be able to meet physical expectations in order to safely engage in the practice of learning biological science, especially in the laboratory and field settings.  Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations.  The following are specific courses that may entail significant physical challenges to accomplish:

• Courses at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and BI 215:  the outdoor learning environment is sometimes difficult to navigate, it may not be easily accessible or barrier free.

1. Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all members of the Biological Sciences department. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.
2. Essential emotional coping skills: ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of science learning and investigation as determined by professional standards of practice.
3. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of learning biology.
4. Other essential behavioral attributes: ability to work collaboratively in group learning activities in lecture class and as a team member in both laboratory class and in a field setting.

Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:

1. With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Biological Sciences.
    
2. Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of (field of study) and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.

If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the Biological Sciences office, or contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at disability@grcc.edu or by phone at 616.234.4140 to arrange accommodations through our interactive process.