Scope of Palynology
Palynological research can be either basic or applied. Pollen morphology in relation to taxonomy is the basic aspect, and the applied aspects are geopalynology (fossil pollen grains), iotropalynology (medical aspects such as hay fever, criminology), melittopalynology (study of pollen in honey), and aeropalynology (pollen discovered in air).
- It helps in the study of pollen and has great significance in many ways.
- Fossil pollen and spores preserve in them a valuable record of the plant’s history.
- Valuable clues regarding the past vegetation of that flora.
- Pollen grains provide valuable information about the source and other aspects, such as the local vegetation of the place from which they have been collected.
Palynology – Definition, Description & Applications
Palynology is an important branch of botanical science. It is derived from the word palynos-dust. We study the palynology in paleobotany. In palynology, we study and research the different types of pollen grains, spores, and other palynomorphs of the many plant species found in different parts of the world. We also study the shape, structure, functions, chemical structure, and components of pollens in plants.
Palynology also helps in studying and identifying dust particles. It is mainly responsible for the extraction of fossils. In pollens, we have two types of layers one is intine (the inner part) and another is exine (the outer part). The exine is made up of the material sporopollenin. Sporopollenin is a ubiquitous and extremely chemically inert biopolymer that constitutes the outer wall of all land-plant spores and pollen grains.
Table of Content
- What is Palynology?
- Palynological features used in plant systematic
- Significance of Palynology
- Objective of palynology
- Description of Palynology
- Scope of Palynology
- Application and Branches of Palynology
- Role of Palynology in Taxonomy