Plant Biology
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Pre-requisites not required
The student will be asked to demonstrate a thorough comprehension regarding the constitutive topics covered in all five training objectives. Students will perform three tests by using the e-learning platform. Two tests are intermediate, i.e. scheduled during the course, and address the topics covered in objectives 1 and 2, respectively. The third one coincides with the official date of the exam session, and addresses the objective 3. Tests consist of multiple-choice test, corresponding tests, written text, figures and table interpretation. The final score is the mean of all the evaluative tests. The use of the e-learning platform also makes it possible to assess the student's ability to use self-assessment systems.
In subsequent exam sessions the verification will take place in the same way, considering a longer time available being the two tests performed on the same day.
The present course is in the first year, aims at training the students on the study of the form and function of plants, from cell to tree, and their adaptation to the environment. The same also aims to provide the basis for applied approaches, which students will encounter during their academic training. Students are encouraged to acquire greater and conscious independence in self-evaluation of their work and their ability to learn through the use of the e-learning platform.
The following learning outcomes are expected:
1. to acquire the basic and advanced knowledge on the organization and physiology of plant cell
2. to understand the morpho-anatomical organization of vascular plants, in relation to their physiology and phylogenetic position
3. to acquire the basic knowledge on Systematic Botany
The frontal lessons cover the following topics (7.5 cfu, 60h):
Plant cell (14h, training objective 1)
• Cell wall: structure and function
• Plasmodesmata and cytodieresis
• Plastid: types of plastids, ultrastructure and function
• Vacuole: structure and function
• Cell turgor
• Expansion of plant cell walls during cellular growth
Tissues and Morphology (14h, training objective 2)
• Plant tissues: meristematic, parenchimatic, tegumental, mechanical, conductive, secretory
• Primary and secondary growth
• Morphology and anatomy of the organs in relation to their physiological function
Physiology (24h, training objective 2)
• Photosynthesis of C3, C4 and CAM plants
• Photorespiration
• Sap and sieve flows
• Tropisms and nastic movements
• Roots and gravitropism, nutrient uptake, symbiosis with bacteria and mycorrhiza
• Photoperiodism
• Seed germination and dormancy
Plant systematic (8h, training objective 3)
• Sexsual, asexsual (vegetative) and sporogony reproductions. Apomixis and metagenetic cycles.
• Systematics of Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
Laboratory cover the following activities (0.5 cfu, 8h):
• Extraction, separation and absorbance spectrum of photosynthetic pigments (4h, training objective 1, 2)
• Anatomical sections and staining of stem and root (4h, training objective 2)
• Instruments for morphological and physiological measurements (Gas exchange, fluorescence, rhizo-tron, Scholander bomb (4h, training objective 2)
• Species identification by mean of analytical key (4h, training objective 3)
Slides of the lessons, lecture notes and scientific papers can be downloaded from the Elearning platform or provided by the lecturer. The following book text are suggested:
• Evert R.F., Eichorn S.E. Biology of Plants (8th edition). 2013, Palgrave Macmillan
The course consists of 60h of frontal lessons and 8h of laboratory activities, totaling 68h (8 CFU). The addressed topics will be integrated by presentation of picture slides, graphics, diagrams and videos useful to clarify the concepts.
The aim of the course is also to stimulate the student's self-learning skills by stimulating, independently from the teacher, the search in the web for further information on specific aspects of the course.
For laboratory activities, students are divided in small groups and are assigned a location for the self-conduct experiment. The access to the rooms is allowed only if equipped with white coat. The presence of the lecturer and one or more assistants will be guaranteed. Lab attendance is mandatory, and absence should not exceed 25% (4h) of the laboratory planned program.
OFFICE HOURS AND E-MAIL ADDRESS
Meetings preferably by appointment (by email request). Lecturer answers emails only if signed and with @studenti.uninsubria.it domain
Lecturer is available for meeting aimed at clarifying and analyzing the treated topics, preferably for groups of students