Ateneo - UPO

Morphophysiology of land plants, from the cell to the organ level, including reproduction, with laboratory observation. Overview on plant biodiversity, with a focus of the transition from water to land photosynthetic organims.

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.

For all credits, instruction is delivered via lectures and laboratory exercises.

Learning assessment: discussion of the topics during lectures and practical observations.
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.

Interview. 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.

More in detail:
30-30 L (Excellent) Excellent and detailed knowledge of the topics covered in class. Outstanding ability to make interdisciplinary connections, scientific rigor, and impeccable use of specialized terminology. Demonstrates critical thinking and independent judgment.
27-29 (Very Good) In-depth knowledge of the subject matter. Good ability to analyze and synthesize the topics covered in class. Clear, logically structured presentation using appropriate scientific terminology.
24-26 (Good) Good knowledge of fundamental topics, though with some limitations regarding details or complex connections. Correct presentation with predominantly appropriate use of scientific language.
21-23 (Fair) Fair knowledge of the concepts presented in class, though primarily based on rote memorization or description. Limited ability to apply concepts to problems or case studies. Simple yet correct language.
19-20 (More than Sufficient) Minimal and fragmentary knowledge of course content. Difficulty understanding the implications of the topics covered in class. Uncertain or limited scientific language.
18 (Sufficient) The student demonstrates only a descriptive, fragmentary, and basic knowledge of the syllabus's essential concepts. Critical ability is absent or severely limited; there is clear difficulty in connecting topics or applying them to complex contexts. Language is understandable but shows uncertainties, terminological inaccuracies, and limited use of the specialized scientific vocabulary expected at the bachelor's degree level.

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.