12818 - Plant Biology (M-Z)

Academic Year 2008/2009

  • Docente: Donatella Serafini Fracassini
  • Credits: 6
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Biological sciences (cod. 0091)

Learning outcomes

Treatment of the general knowledge of the plant structure and some fundamental elements of plant physiology, as this will be, for some students, the last course related to the plant life.
Some aspects of the relationships between plants and humans, as well as relevant aspects of the plant science and biotechnological aspects of the use of plants will be also treated.
This course will be base for the plant courses of courses of speciality.

Course contents

Plant science sectors and study methodologies.
Cytology. The plant cell of vascular plants. Aspects of the algae and fungi cells. Structure and function of: plastids and precursors. Vacuoles. Dittiosomes. Mitochondria. Microbodies. Cell walls and their modifications. Mitosis. Cell cycle in fungi and higher plants.
Physiology: energy and metabolisms. Photosynthesis and respiration. Nitrogen cycle. Secondary metabolisms. The water in the cell. Uptake and transport of nutrients at short and large distance.
Histology: classification of the tissues.
Anatomy and organographies of roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits. The stelar theory in particular in the Pteridophytes.
Aspects of reproduction. The seed and embryogenesis. Morpho-functional aspects of germination.
Morphogenesis: differentiation, growth and development. Programmed cell death. Hormones and growth substances. The in vitro cultures. Tumours.
Food, pharmacological and cosmetic uses of plants.
Biotechnological aspects of plants. OGM.


Readings/Bibliography

TESTI –
- JD Mauseth  
BOTANICA - parte generale. II edizione italiana
Coordinamento editoriale D Serafini Fracassini 
Casa Editrice Idelson-Gnocchi 2006

-Speranza A. e Calzoni G.L. - STRUTTURA DELLE PIANTE IN IMMAGINE - Zanichelli, 2000.

Teaching methods


Oral presentations preliminary to the practical laboratories by observations at the microscope.

Assessment methods

Oral examination with possible written tests about the program presented during lessons and practical work (eventually presentation of a report on the laboratory work) with a unique mark.  If a fundamental subject will be not sufficiently known the entire examination will be negatively evaluated.

Teaching tools


Video projector for power points prepared by the teacher. Eventual seminars. Practical laboratories complete the course by the use of microscopes.

Office hours

See the website of Donatella Serafini Fracassini