Ateneo - UPO

Overview on plant biodiversity, morphophysiology of higher plants with laboratory exercises.

Biologia delle piante. Mauseth. Parte generale. A cura di D. Serafini Fracassini 2014. Ildeson-Gnocchi. Biologia delle piante, Raven Zanichelli, 2013.
Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Pasqua G. et al. Piccin. 2015.

Basic cell and morpho-physiology of plants. Phylogeny and systematics.

Basic organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Theory lessons and laboratory exercises.

Learning control: discussion of the topics during lectures and practical exercises. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted
the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Oral examination. The test will consist of:
- description and identification of a microscopy slide;
- some questions concerning main topics (usually, but not necessarily: one question on cell biology, one concerning the plant organs and macroscopic structures, one concerning phylogenesis or ecology), in order to allow students to develop a theme. More detailed questions may be asked to clarify doubts, assess the depth of study, the personalized comprehension and the ability to set connections between topics.

The most important carachteristics of plants, at cellular and organismal levels. Organules of the autotrophic cell. The cell wall: primary and secondary structure. Modifications of the secondary cell wall. Chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts. Photosynthesis. The endosymbiotic theory. The vacuole, the eucariotic nucleus. Microtubules.
Morphophysiology of vascular plants and histology. The stem and the roots. Root apical meristems. Mycorrhizas. Root nodules.The wood, the leaf and the reproductive organs: diversity of the flowers. Seeds and fruits. Fruit development and ripening.
Photosynthesis in water: the Algae. The non vascular crittogams. Terrestrial plants. Diffusion through spores and seeds. Pteridophytes. Gimnosperms. Angiosperms. Evolution of the reproductive cycles. Floral evolution.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO COMPREHEND – learning: (i) the structures and functions of plant cells and tissues, (ii)the structural and functional properties of the main biological molecole and the principles driving the main functions of biological systems, (iii) the basis of the biodiversity in plants and their interactions with the environment; - understanding the common features of all plants and the specific ones of the various sub-groups; learning the morphological organization and the development of the various plant organs/systems.

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION – Ability to integrate the knowledge and abilities acquired during the class with those derived from other courses. – Ability to use correctly the light transmission microscope and to identify and describe microscopic and histologic slides.

COMMUNICATION ABILITIES – Using an appropriate scientific language during oral and written communication. – Ability to identify and present essential information.

AUTONOMY OF JUDGEMENT – Ability to interpretate experimental results concerning cell biology analogous to those discussed during the class. Ability to interpretate the different morphological specialization in terms of functions.

ABILITY TO LEARN – Ability to describe scientific themes concerning cell biology, histology, embriology and biodiversity of plants. Such ability will be developed by involving the students in discussion during the lessons.