The structure of plant cells. Plant tissues. The root: functions, morphology, anatomy and physiology. Stem and leaf: functions, morphology, anatomy and physiology of Angiosperms and Gymnosperms. Life cycle of Angiosperms. Reproduction in Flowering Plants. Flowers and inflorescences. Fruit and seed. Types of fruits. Gamic and agamic riproduction. Transport of organic compounds. Plant hormones. Photosynthesis. Stomatal mechanisms Plant water relationships.
Principles of taxonomy.
Pancaldi S., Baldisserotto C., Ferroni L., Pantaleoni L., Fondamenti di Botanica Generale. Teoria e pratica. WCB/Mc Graw-Hill editor, 2011.
Kingsley R. et al., Introduzione alla Biologia Vegetale. WCB/Mc Graw-Hill editor, 2011.
Raven P. et al., Biologia delle piante. Zanichelli, 2002.
Gerola M.F., Biologia e diversità dei vegetali Ed. UTET, 1995.
Longo C., Biologia vegetale forma e funzioni. II Ed. UTET, 1997
Taiz l., Zeiger E. Fisiologia vegetale. Piccin, 1996.
Speranza A., Calzoni G.L. Struttura delle piante in immagini. Zanichelli, 1996.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
course purpose is to provide basic elements on the organization of the seed plants at cellular, histological and anatomic level and for the understanding of the main physiological processes which regulate their development. Specific references to Mediterranean maquis vegetation.
Competence acquired (at the end of the course): abilities of recognition and description of the morphology, anatomy and physiology of seed plants.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
autonomy in knowledge and description of the anatomical structures of the seed plants with particular references to ornamental and agricultural plants
Prerequisites
Courses recommmended: general, inorganic and organic chemistry
Teaching Methods
CFU: 9
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 225
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities: 153
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab: although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.
Teaching tools: video projector and PC.
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: oral examination
Course program
Content:
Lectures
-Introduction. Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell: the main morphological and functional characteristics.
-Cytology. Plant cell. Ultrastructure and functions of biological membranes. Plasmalemma, nucleous, cytoskeleton, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, dictyosomes, mitochondria, cell wall, plastidi, vacuole: origin, structure and functions. Cell cycle. Mitosis and cell division. Meiosis and gamic reproduction.
-Histology. Plant tissues: primary and secondary meristems (vascular and cork cambium). Somatic tissues: tegumental, parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, vascular and secretory tissues.
-Anatomy: stem and root: morphology and primary plant body of Angyosperms and Gymnosperms, secondary plant body of Dicotiledones and Gymnosperms. Origin of lateral roots and specialized roots. Leaf: morphology and structure of Angyosperms and Gymnosperms. Flowers and inflorescences. Gametophytes development, pollination, double fertilization. Life cycle of Angiosperms and Gymnosperms. Fruit, seed and seedling development. Types of fruits.
Agamic reproduction: apomixis, vegetative propagation and micropropagation.
-Plant Physiology. Basic principles of C3, C4 and CAM photosynthesis. Water properties.
Plant water relationships. Transpiration and stomata functioning. Absorption by roots and water flow in the xilem. Transport of organic compounds. Plant hormones.
- Principles of taxonomy.
Practices
Laboratory work includes microscopic examinations of plant cells and plant tissues.
Guided tour of the Cascine park. Guided tour of the Botanical Garden of Florence.