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.

What is Palynology?

The study of micro-organic materials such as spores, pollen, dinoflagellates, and microfossils is called palynology. In other words, palynology aims at studying microscopic particles produced by plants such as pollen and spores, as well as fresh water and marine algal cysts (a closed sac that develops abnormally in somebody structure). Cyst formation takes place in unfavourable conditions. All the material used in palynology is referred to as palynomorphs.

Palynological Features used in Plant Systematics

Palynological characters have been used in solving several taxonomic problems, including the repositioning of deveral disputed taxa, and interpretation of problems relating to the origin and evolution of different groups. Palynology is used in phylogenetic analysis. It can be utilised in plant identification of extant plants and fossil plants. In fossil plants we study about paleopalynology/paleobotany and about the past plant communities, climate, biogeography, migration. In pollen characteristics of systematic values we will discuss pollen aggregation. Microsporogenesis equals four microspores which match were into four pollen greens. In majority of angiosperms the pollen grains separate prior to release such a pollen grains is known as monoders in rare cases pollen grains are released as fused in the form of fears.

• Pollen Nucleus number
• Pollen storage product
• Pollen unit
• Pollen polarity
• Pollen aperture
• Pollen size
• Pollen shape
• Pollen sculpturing
• Pollen wall structure

Significance of Palynology

Palynology is significant in a variety of applications like in mining and oil exploration, in medicine, including a survey of atmospheric pollen and spore generation and dissemination (aerobiology), in human food, in studies of human allergies, the archaeological excavation, in conservation of biodiversity, in honey and in pollen industry, in detailed investigation of animal diets, In taxonomical studies, In forensic science.

Objective of palynology

The objective of palynology is to enumerate and identify important palynological features of angiosperms and to relate these features to plant systematics. We demonstrate taxonomic evidence in palynology. Palynology is utilised in plant identification like in extant plants, fossil plants.

Polynomorphs

• It is an organic-walled microfossil 5 to 800 micrometres in size.
• It consists of very resistant organic molecules, usually sporopollenin, chitin, and pseudochitin.
• Nanofossils are not palynomorphs.
• Diatoms aren’t palynomorphs because they are siliceous and destroyed by HF solution.

Categories of palynomorphs

Acritarchs

It means of undecided doubtful origin. However, a term now includes a very large range of algal bodies, mostly marine, ranging from less than 10 micrometres well within the palynomorph size range.

Chitinozoans

These are pseudochitinous palynomorphs. They are found only in marine rocks, unless reworked.

Scolecodonts

These are the chitinous mouthparts of polychitious, mostly marine annelid worms. They mostly occur in the range of up to 102 micrometres.

Cryptospores

These are spore-like bodies in the normal spore size range. They represent an intermediate stage between aquatic algae and land plants.

Embryospores

These are microscopic, unicellular reproductive cells of certain vascular plants. They are extremely resistant and easily transported by wind.

Palynodebris

It is the organic junk or organic matter found in palynological preparation along with palynomorphs. It consists of charcoal and cellulosic tissue fragments, like wood fragments.

Description of Palynology

The greek term palynology has been derived from paluno (to scatter) and logos( to study). Here the history of pollen grain is studied. The term palynology was first introduced by Hyde and Williams in 1944. Different types of pollen grains are found in different species of plants. There must always be a difference in the pollen grains of one plant to another according to their structure, shape,size, chemical composition and components, pollen viability & compatibility and wall formation. By pollens, we can also determine the family with which they belong too. So, they are always different from each other, and this specific character is very helpful in taxonomical research and plant identification.

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.

Application of Palynology

Palynology is applicable in the study of tertiary rocks of the coastal plain, as well as in estimating the age of biological rocks. Spores and pollen grains from plants preserved as fossils in sedimentary rocks can be employed in the same general way as better known and more extensively used invertebrate fossil groups to solve stratigraphic problems of correlation and date determination.

Palaeopalynology

It is the study of fossil pollens and spores.

Pharmacopalynology

It is the study of pollen and spores, which are used medically to cure various diseases and ailments.

Iatropolynology

The study of pollen and spores causing allergies and similar problems is hazardous to mankind.

Forensic Palynology

• It is the application and utilisation of palynomorph analysis in crime and law to solve criminal cases, or we can say that it is the study of pollen and spore as an aid to criminology. It analyses spores and pollen as a form of trace evidence.
• Features of pollen or spores that make them ideal forensic trace material are their small size and high variability, which can be found on almost any item.

Forensic Pollen Analysis

• These traces can be found on the pollen detectors soil, shoes, clothes,  hair, fur  stomach, and lungs as well as air filters.
• Forensic psychology can relate a suspect to a crime, relate an item at a crime scene to a suspect victim, or relate an item found on the suspect or victim to a crime. It can prove or disprove an excuse.

Aeropalynology

• The study of pollen and spores found in the air and their role in the spread of diseases, allergies, pollution, etc., or the study of palynomorphs suspended in the air, including those with allergenic effects.
• Pollen are produced in abundance in the dry season and lower in the wet or rainy season. Pollen cause pollinosis (hay fever). When pollens come into contact with the mucous membrane of the nose, trachea, bronchi, or cornea of the eye.
• Allergens trigger the release of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, producing allergic symptoms. Thus, knowledge of pollen dispersal is also important to monitor the risks of pollinosis. The diversity and quantity of pollen types are assessed by filtering the air throughout the year.

Palynotaxonomy

Study of pollen and spore morphology in solving taxonomic problems

Entomopalynology

The study of pollen found on the body or in the gut of insects

Melissopalynology

The study of pollen in honey has the purpose of identifying the source plants used by bees in the production of honey. It is possible to gain evidence of the geographical location and genus of the plants that the honey bees visited. Also,  honey may contain airborne pollen from anemophilous plants, spores, and dust due to the electrostatic charge of bees.

Palynologist

Geologists use fossil pollen and spores (paleopalynology) to study past environments, stratigraphy (the analysis of strata or layered rock), history, geology, and palaeontology.

Copro Palynology

The term copropalynology is derived from the Greek word Kopros, meaning dung, indicating the study of pollen and spores present in dung.

Role of Palynology in Taxonomy

Application in plant systematics Pollen morphology is the expression of parts of the genome and is helpful in taxonomic studies. Characteristics of pollens such as shape, size, aperture, ornamentation, and stratification have proved useful in distinguishing pollens of different varieties.

FAQs on Palynology

1. What is the Term used for the Study of Pollen in Melissopalynology?

Melissopalynology is the study of pollen in honey. This branch of palynology identifies the pollen’s source, including the geographical location(s), and genera of plants that honeybees visited.

2. What is Palynomorphs?

Palynomorphs are microscopic, acid-resistant organic remains and debris produced by plants, animals, and Protista. They are also known as organic-walled microfossils.

3. What Is Stratigraphic Palynology?

Palynostratigraphy is a type of stratigraphy that deals with the description, interpretation, and timing of vegetational successions based on the identification of pollen and spore assemblages in their stratigraphic context including lithostratigraphy.

4. What is the Role of Paleopalynology?

Paleopalynological studies are thus used to determine plant community structure and to gauge, by extrapolation over time, shifts in climate.

5. What Is the Function of Palynology?

Palynology is a useful tool in many applications, including a survey of atmospheric pollen and spore production and dispersal (aerobiology), in the study of human allergies, the archaeological excavation of shipwrecks, and detailed analysis of animal diets.