Course Syllabus
Click to Expand: Palaeobotany & Palynology Syllabus
Semester IV (DSC/Core)
BOT-H-CC7-4-Th – Palaeobotany & Palynology – 75 Marks / 3 Credits
SECTION I: PALAEOBOTANY (50 marks)
- 1. Geological time scale with dominant plant groups through ages and major important evolutionary events (development of vascular tissue, origin of roots, and leaves and seeds). (4 Lectures)
2. Plant Fossil
- 2.1 Types: Body fossil (micro and megafossils), Trace fossil, Chemical fossil, Index fossil.
- 2.2 Different modes of preservation (Schopf, 1975).
- 2.3 Conditions favouring fossilization.
- 2.4 Nomenclature and Reconstruction.
- 2.5 Principle of fossil dating (a brief idea).
- 2.6 Relative (biostratigraphy and index fossil) and Absolute dating (238U-206Pb, 12C Method).
- 2.7 Importance of fossil study. (8 Lectures)
3. Fossil Pteridophytes
- Structural features, geological distribution and evolutionary significance of 3.1. Rhynia, 3.2. Lepidodendron (Reconstructed), 3.3. Calamites (Reconstructed). (6 Lectures)
4. Fossil Gymnosperms
- Structural features and geological distribution of reconstructed genera: 4.1. Lyginopteris, 4.2. Williamsonia, 4.3. Cordaites. (6 Lectures)
- 5. Indian Gondwana System – Brief idea of Gondwana; Three fold division of Indian Gondwana with major megafossil assemblages. (4 Lectures)
SECTION II: PALYNOLOGY (25 marks)
6. Plant Fossil
- 6.1 Introduction.
- 6.2 Pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs (spores and phytoliths), types of phytoliths.
- 6.3 Pollen aperture types.
- 6.4 NPC classification (Erdtman).
- 6.5 Pollen wall - sporopollenin, stratification and ornamentation (sculpturing). (5 Lectures)
7. Applied Palynology
- 7.1 Basic concepts of:
- 7.2 Palaeopalynology (definition, role of fossil spore / pollen / phytolith in vegetation and climate reconstruction).
- 7.3 Aeropalynology - basic mechanism of spore/pollen allergy.
- 7.4 Common spore /pollen allergies, pollen calendar.
- 7.5 Aeroallergens-common pollen-allergy causing plants of India, brief idea of basic tests for diagnosis – skin testing (Prick Test), Radioallergosorbent - Test (RAST) and Enzyme-Linked Immuno - Sorbent - Assay (ELISA).
- 7.6 Forensic palynology – definition, sources of pollen as forensic evidence – soil, clothing and foot wear, vehicles, human bodies, animal fur, spider web.
- 7.7 Applications and limitations of forensic palynology.
- 7.8 Pollination biology and melissopalynology- types of pollination, pollinator groups, pollen-pistil interactions and its significance; common Indian bee plants, types of honey, botanical and geographical origin of honey, absolute pollen count; bee keeping. (12 Lectures)
Previous Year Questions
2025
BOTANY — HONOURS
Paper : DSCC-7
(Palaeobotany and Palynology)
Full Marks : 75
1. Answer any six questions from the following:
2 × 6
(a) Name the periods of 'Palaeozoic Era' in ascending chronological order. (2)
(b) Define Ichnofossil. Give an example. (1+1)
(c) Mention the criteria for establishing an Index fossil. (2)
(d) Distinguish between coal and coal ball. (2)
(e) What is radiometric dating? (2)
(f) Which geological period is called the 'Age of Ferns'? Why? (1+1)
(g) Distinguish between sexine and nexine. (2)
(h) Draw the polar view of a tricolporate pollen grain and mention its NPC number. (1+1)
(i) What do you mean by unifloral honey? (2)
2. Answer briefly any three of the following:
5 × 3
(a) Comment on the gametophyte of Rhynia. (5)
(b) Give a brief account of principles for reconstruction of fossil plants. (5)
(c) Briefly discuss the role of fossil phytoliths in reconstructing past climate. (5)
(d) Comment on pollen-pistil interaction and its significance in plant reproduction. (5)
(e) Draw and describe different exine ornamentations in modern angiosperm pollen grains. (5)
3. Answer any four questions from the following:
12 × 4
(a) Discuss the different modes of preservation of plant fossils as proposed by Schopf (1975). (12)
(b) Name the different organ genera of the reconstructed plant Lepidodendron mentioning its geological occurrence and geographical distribution. Give an account of anatomical details of the stem of Lepidodendron with labeled diagrams. Define apoxogenesis. (2+2+6+2)
(c) Mention the different organ genera of the reconstructed plant Williamsonia sewardiana Sahni. Describe its male and female fructifications with suitable diagrams. (2+5+5)
(d) Give an account of the three-fold division of Indian Gondwana System and mention major megafossil assemblages of each division. Mention the index plant fossil of each division. (9+3)
(e) Give an illustrated account of the aperture types found in modern angiosperm pollen grains. Distinguish between tectate and atectate pollen grains. (10+2)
(f) What is forensic palynology? Why is pollen considered an important evidence in forensic investigations? Write a note on the applications of melissopalynology. Name two common Indian bee plants. (2+3+5+2)
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