12818 - Plant Biology

Learning outcomes

This class is aimed at giving the basic elements of plant anatomy and plant physiology. The topic of the course is to provide you with a broad and solid background on plant cell, tissue and organ, required to further specialised study.

Course contents

Introduction. Human and environment systems: ecological, economic and social issues.

The plant cell. Cell wall: biosynthesis, structure and function. Cell membranes: structure and function. Cell organelles: mitochondria, plastids, microbodies, vacuoles. Chloroplast: structural and functional aspects. Cytoskeleton: microtubules, microfilaments, structural proteins and motor proteins. Cell division.

Energy relationships. Photosynthesis: light reactions and carbon reactions. Physiological and ecological considarations. Cellular respiration.

Plant tissues. Apical and secondary meristems. Cell growth and differentiation. Parenchyma, epidermal tissues, vascular tissues and secretory tissues.

Plant structure and function. The root system: root anatomy and function. The root tip: root cap and apical meristem. Region of elongation and region of differentiation. Primary and secondary root. The stem: structure and function. Xylem and phloem. The leaf: structure and function. Stomata: guard cells, stomatal opening. Leaf abscission. The flower: the androecium and gynoecium. Flower development. The seed: embryo, endosperm, fruit development.

Readings/Bibliography

Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C., 2008, Botanica generale e diversità vegetale, Piccin

Bruni A., 2014, Biologia Farmaceutica, Pearson

Teaching methods

The course will be conducted through lectures with the projection of images and diagrams.
The active participation of students with questions, requests for clarification and deepening is always welcome.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists in a written test of a maximum duration of 2 hours, on the topics discussed during the lectures .
The test will consist of 20 multiple choice questions (0.8 point per question); 3 recognition of cells / tissues / plant organs (up to 3 points per question); 2 open-ended question (up to 4 points per question).

Once passed, the duration of the vote is of one year. If within this period the student will not sustain the module of Pharmaceutical Botany, he/she will need to retake the module of Plant Biology

Teaching tools

The course will be conducted through PC projection. The files of the lectures will be made ​​available to students on AMSCAMPUS.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Sparla