78783 - Biodiversity and Evolution

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire knowledge on biodiversity, structure and function of animal and plant systems. The student will also be aware of the evolutionary dynamics of plant and animal organisms, and of biotechnological applications.

Course contents

BIODIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION 3 CFU

Prof. R. Falconi

Of the 33 phyla and about 1.5 million species, the program will consider the general characteristics and descriptions of the main phyla of the animal kingdom. From an evolutionary point of view, the different organizations of the body, the life cycles, and the adaptive strategies to the different environments, as well as the different mode of agamic reproduction and the several different sexual reproduction strategies will be described. The knowledge of these fundamental aspects is essential for understanding the heterotrophic animal model, which will be the subject of biotechnological applications. Some examples of heterotrophic protists will also be considered.

Finally, the new frontiers of the zoological research will be explored by means of several examples of new lines of research. The program will be organized in two sections: a general and a specific one.  

General section:

The story of life - Evolution – Taxonomy  – Heterotrophic protists – The Animal Kingdom: bauplan, the role of the animals in the biocenosis, reproductive strategies and phylogeny of the main animal taxa (Coelomesozoa, Placozoa, Mesozoa, Porifera; Metazoa, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes, Pseudocoelomata; Coelomata, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, Chordata)

Specific section:

Protists and parasitism (Giardia lamblia, gen. Trypanosoma, gen.Plasmodium)

Model organisms (Caenorabhditis elegans, gen. Aeolosoma, gen. Drosophila,gen. Ceratitis)

Living fossils (genera Limulus e Triops)

Global warming, pollution and habitat reduction (Cnidaria, Hexapoda, Amphibia).

Mitochondrial, biparental heredity (Mollusca Bivalvia)

PLANT BIOLOGY 3 CFU

Prof. Paolo Trost

Introduction. Plants and Man. Agriculture for food, fibers and bioenergy production.

The molecular basis of life. Atoms, chemical bonds, molecules, water, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, proteins.

The plant cell. Cell wall, vacuole, cell turgor and osmosis, plastids.

Photosynthesis. Chloroplasts, photosynthetic pigments, photosystems, bioenergetics of photosynthesis, carbon fixation.

General structure and vegetative growth of plants. General organization of a vascular plant. Root and shoot. Meristems. Tissues: dermal, fundamental, vascular. Root, stem, leaf. Vegetative development: embryo, seed, fruit, germination.

Mechanisms of transport and mineral nutrition. Xylem, water absorption by roots, transpiration, drought stress. The soil, mineral nutrients and nutrient absorption, assimilation of nitrogen.

Plant reproduction. Flower, pollination, fertilization, asexual reproduction.

Readings/Bibliography

Biodiversity and Evolution

-   David Sadava, H. Craig Heller, Gordon H. Orians, William K. Purves, David M. Hillis: “Biologia – l'evoluzione e la biodiversità”. Terza edizione italiana.   Editore Zanichelli

-  Brooker R.J., Widmaier E.P., Graham L.E., Stiling P.D. (2011): “Biologia 3 – Evoluzione”. Editore McGraw-Hill

Plant Biology  

- Mauseth JD (2014) "BOTANICA. Fondamenti di biologia delle piante", Edilson-Gnocchi

- Smith AM, Coupland G, Dolan L, Harberd N, Jones J, Martin C, Sablowski R, Amey A. (2011) Biologia delle piante. Vol. 1 - Evoluzione, sviluppo, metabolismo. Zanichelli

Teaching methods

Biodiversity and Evolution  

Oral lectures. Seminars. Animal models will be presented for a greater understanding of diversity and evolution.

Plant Biology  
The course will consist of lectures accompanied by the projection of pictures and diagrams (power point). Questions and requests of further explanation from the students are always welcome, both during and after the lesson. 

Assessment methods

The assessment of the learning take place only through the final exam which ensures that learning outcomes have been achieved:

- acquisition of cultural tools aimed at the understanding of biodiversity, structure and function of animals, plants and "protozoa"

- knowledge of the principles of the evolutionary dynamics of these autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms

- acquisition of the information about their biotechnological applications.

The exam consists of two parts, the first concerning the program of Biodiversity and Evolution; the second part, that of the program of  Plant Biology .

An unique grade will result from the exam of the separate “moduli”

Teaching tools

Biodiversity and Evolution  
Dedicated classroom, computer, video projector, Power Points. Animal models. 
Plant Biology  
The course will take place in classrooms with PC projection. All lectures will be given with power point presentations. The files of power point presentations will be made ​​available to students at the end of the course (downloadable files from AMSCAMPUS).

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Bernardo Trost

See the website of Rosanna Falconi