BIOL1020 Lab 5 Protocol 1

LAB 5
PLANT AND FUNGAL DIVERSITY
PROTOCOL

There are 5 Exercises in Lab 5. These Exercises should be completed during Lab 5 and
submitted in Lab Report 5 at the end of the lab.

Objectives:
 Learn about plant diversity and the distinguishing features of different groups of plants.
 Learn to distinguish between monocot and eudicot plants.
 Learn about fungal diversity.

Exercise 5.1: Non-Vascular Plants – Bryophytes (Mosses)

You will be examining representatives of the Phylum Bryophyta (the mosses).

1. Examine the demonstration moss specimen using the stereomicroscope. Draw and label
the structures requested in the space provided in Lab Report 5. Be sure to include an
appropriate figure number and caption along with a size bar.

2. Examine the demonstration wet mount of the Sphagnum leaves using the compound
microscope. Look for small living green cells surrounding the giant clear looking empty
dead cells that have openings that admit water.

3. Using the illustration of the life cycle of a moss and other information in the Introduction,
answer questions in Lab Assignment 5.

Exercise 5.2: Seedless Vascular Plants – Pterophytes (Ferns and Horsetails)

You will be examining two groups of the seedless vascular plants – the ferns and horsetails.

1. Examine the fern specimens provided. These fern "plants" are the dominant sporophyte
stage. The fern gametophyte is very small and not visible. Using the stereomicroscope,
examine the underside of the leaf for small brownish spots called sori (single structure =
a sorus). If there are sori present, draw the underside of the leaf including the sori in
your Lab Report 5. Do not forget to include a caption and size bar with your drawing.

2. Now examine the demonstration wet mount of a sorus using the compound microscope.
Identify and draw a sporangium and spores as it appears under the 10X and 40X
objectives of a compound microscope; include a caption and size bar with each drawing.
 BIOL1020 Lab 5 Protocol 2

3. Examine and draw the specimens of representative species of Equisetum. Notice the
appearance of the stems which look jointed. Note the rings of small leaves or branches
that emerge from each joint. Note the spore capsule (if present).

Exercise 5.3: Vascular Seed Plants – Gymnosperms (Conifers)

In this exercise you will identify some basic features of gymnosperms (the “naked seed” plants).

1. Examine the conifer branches provided. Most conifers are “evergreen” and do not drop
their leaves in the winter when it is cold. Notice that the surface area of conifer leaves is
much smaller than of broadleaf trees. Notice the thick waxy covering on the needles.
Using the dichotomous key provided below, identify 3 of the samples of evergreen
branches provided for you. Record your results, observations and sketches in Table 1 of
Lab Report 5.

2. Examine the different conifer cones provided in the lab. Notice the diversity in shape and
size. Remember - in conifers, the two types of spores are produced by separate cones:

(a) small pollen cones which produce microspores; the microspores eventually
develop into pollen grains containing the male gametophytes
(microsporangium).

(b) large ovulate cones which produce megaspores: the megaspores eventually
develop into female gametophytes which are retained in the cone
(megasporangium).

DICHOTOMOUS KEY TO SOME COMMON CONIFERS

1 (a) Leaves scale-like, seldom more than 1/8 inch long, arranged in opposite pairs

completely covering the twig; occasionally some twigs present with longer

leaves in 2’s or 3’s ………………………………………………………………………………………..2

(b) Leaves needle like or linear, not scale-like ………………………………..……………..….… 3

Key continued on next page….

 BIOL1020 Lab 5 Protocol 3

2 (a) Leaf-covered twigs flattish; successive pairs of leaves not alike in shape ……….…...

…………………………………………………………..……… Thuja occidentalis (White Cedar)

(b) Leaf-covered twigs 4-sided, fine, cord-like, successive pairs of leaves alike ……...

………………………………………… Juniperus virginiana (Red Cedar or Red Juniper)

3 (a) Clustered leaves present, needle-like ……………………….……………..……………………4

(b) All leaves singly placed, linear ……………………………………………………….....…..…… 8

4 (a) All the leaves clustered, not more than 5 in a cluster …………..………..…….……….. 5

(b) Leaves on short side branchlets in a cluster of more than 5; leaves on the end of

shoots singly placed; tree is deciduous …………….......…. Larix laricina (Tamarack)

5 (a) Clusters with 5 leaves in each …………………….…..……... Pinus strobus (White Pine)

(b) Clusters with 2 leaves …………………………………………..……………………………….……6

6 (a) Leaves more than 2.5 cm long …………………………………………..……….…..………...… 7

(b) Leaves very short, less than 2.5 cm long and thick; twisted away from each

other …………………………………………………………..…… Pinus banksiana (Jack Pine)

Key continued on next page….

 BIOL1020 Lab 5 Protocol 4

7 (a) Leaves flexible ……………………..….…. Pinus resinosa (Red Pine or Norway Pine)

(b) Leaves dark green, rigid, thick with sharp needle-like points …………………...….
……………………………………………………………..…..… Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine)

8 (a) Leaves flat ……………………………..…………………….…..… Tsuja canadensis (Hemlock)

(b) Leaves 4-sided, blue-green colour ….………………..…… Picea glauca (White Spruce)

Exercise 5.4: Vascular Seed Plants – Angiosperms (Flowers)

In this exercise, you will identify the basic features of angiosperms and make comparisons of
monocots and eudicots by examining seeds, leaves and flowers.

1. Anatomy of Seeds and Seedlings:

(a) Examine the demonstration lima bean seed (Phaseolus lunatus). Label the illustration
provided in Lab Report 5 with the structures indicated.

(b) Is the lima bean a monocot or a eudicot? Justify your answer.

2. Diversity of Leaves: Examine the different types of leaves of the plants provided.
Choose 2 examples and indicate if the plant is a monocot or eudicot based on leaf
venation. Predict the type of root they would have (fibrous root system or tap root) and
enter the information in Table 2 in Lab Report 5. Also record the leaf arrangement, leaf
type and leaf margin using Appendix 1 as a guide.

3. Diversity of Flowers: Examine the specimens of flowers provided. Choose 2 examples

and determine which are monocots and which are eudicots based on flower structure.
Predict the arrangement of vascular tissue in the stem (scattered or arranged in a ring)
and enter the information in Table 3 in Lab Report 5. Also record the flower
arrangement using Appendix 1 as a guide.
 BIOL1020 Lab 5 Protocol 5

Table 1. Comparison of Monocots and Eudicots in Flowering Plants (based on Table from
Chapter 29 in Campbell and Reece, 2005).

Characteristic Monocots Eudicots (Dicots)

Number of Cotyledons in Embryo 1 2

Venation Pattern of Leaves parallel branching network
Vascular Pattern in Stems scattered ring-like
Type of Roots fibrous tap
Openings in Pollen Grains 1 3

Number of Flower Parts 3 or multiples of 3 4 or 5 or multiples of 4

or 5

Exercise 5.5: Diversity of Fungi

In this exercise you will examine representatives of saprophytic fungi.

1. Single-celled Fungi: Examine the wet mount slide of yeast cells on the compound
microscope. Yeast cells divide by budding, with one smaller cell forming off the larger
‘mother’ cell. Draw a non-dividing and a dividing cell. Include a size bar for comparison
of cell sizes and answer the questions in Lab Report 5.

2. Multicellular Fungi:

a. Examine the variety of mushrooms on display noting the diversity in structure.

Draw the specimen of the mushroom, which can be found in the produce section of
local grocery stores. You should see a collection of hyphae that form the mycelium
as well as the spore-producing structure, the basidiocarp.

b. Examine the “spore print” demonstration, this will give you an idea of the number
of spores a single mushroom can produce and their size.

3. Lichens: Examine the specimens of lichens provided in the lab. You do not have to draw
these specimens but you should look at them so you can see the growth forms and
answer the questions in Lab Report 5.