00074 - General Botany

Learning outcomes

Students will acquire basic knowledge on i) cytology, histology, anatomy, and morphology of seed plants; ii) features of plant growth and development; iii) techniques for hand preparation of plant tissues/organs for light microscopy.

Course contents

THEORETHICAL PART. Autotrophy, eterotrophy. Compartments of plant cells. Cytoskeleton. Cell wall. Apoplastic, symplastic circulation. Meristematic, primary, and secondary tissues. Phloem, xylem. Primary stem structure of herbaceous and woody plants. Secondary growth of stem. Secondary wood architecture and functions in conifers and dicotyledons. Primary and secondary structure of root. Leaf structures.
LABORATORY COURSE. Microscope observation of plant cells. Primary and secondary cell wall; pits; lignified walls. Tissues. Primary stem of herbaceous plants: anatomy and histology. Secondary stem of woody plants: anatomy and histology. The two cell systems of secondary xylem: staining of lignin and starch. Primary and secondary structure of root; fleshy and woody roots. Bifacial leaves.

Readings/Bibliography

LONGO C., MARZIANI G. - Biologia delle Piante. Forme e Funzioni Elementari. UTET, Torino, 2005

SPERANZA A., CALZONI G. L. - Struttura delle Piante in Immagini (con CD-ROM). Zanichelli, Bologna, 2001

Teaching methods

The course consists of both lessons and laboratory exercises (light microscopy observation of specimens prepared by the students themselves).

Assessment methods

There is a final examination consisting of:
i) preparation of 1 plant specimen for the light microscope and description (written questions)
ii) oral identification of 1 slide of histological/anatomical subject
iii) oral discussion on topics regarding the theoretical part.

Teaching tools

Overhead projector; transparencies; videoprojector. 3D models of wood structure. Collection of commercial slides. Microscopes.

Office hours

See the website of Anna Speranza