96563 - Botany

Learning outcomes

Provide students with basic knowledge on plant biology and in particular those of agricultural and forestry interest. Through theoretical and practical lessons in cytology, histology, anatomy and plant physiology, the tools will be provided to interpret the main macro and microscopic characteristics of the vegetative and reproductive structures of herbaceous and arboreal plants, angiosperms and gymnosperms. Furthermore, the student will be able to recognize the main families of spermatophytes and to correctly use the scientific botanical nomenclature.

Course contents

Prerequisites:

The student undertaking this course has basic knowledge of physics and organic and inorganic chemistry. These skills are acquired during high school.

The following program comprises both integrated modules.

Lectures (48 hours)

Unit 1 – Introduction to Botany (5 hours)

This unit introduces the basic concepts of Botany, including autotrophy, heterotrophy, and the importance of plants for ecosystems and human activities. Plant interactions with other organisms, such as symbiosis, parasitism, and saprotrophy, are also presented. The unit introduces biological classification, the species concept, taxonomic categories, nomenclature rules, and the basic principles of plant evolution and phylogeny.

Learning outcomes: students acquire the basic principles of plant taxonomy, classification, and nomenclature.

Unit 2 – Plant Cytology (6 hours)

This unit introduces cell theory and compares prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, with particular emphasis on plant, animal, and fungal cells. The structure and function of the cell wall, plasma membrane, vacuole, and major cellular organelles are described. Special attention is given to plastids, including chloroplasts, leucoplasts, and chromoplasts.

Learning outcomes: students understand the structure of the plant cell and the main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Unit 3 – Reproduction and Life Cycles (3 hours)

This unit covers sexual and asexual reproduction, mitosis, meiosis, and the main plant life cycles. The concepts of gametophyte, sporophyte, spores, and gametes are introduced and discussed.

Learning outcomes: students understand the main reproductive mechanisms and the biological significance of alternation of generations.

Unit 4 – Bacteria, Algae, Fungi, Bryophytes and Pteridophytes (3 hours)

This unit presents the main characteristics, ecological importance, and basic taxonomy of bacteria, algae, bryophytes, and pteridophytes. The distinction between thallus and cormus is introduced. Special attention is given to fungi, their morphology, nutrition, reproduction, and symbiotic associations.

Learning outcomes: students acquire fundamental knowledge of the major groups of plant-like and fungal organisms.

Unit 5 – Seed Plants (Spermatophytes) (26 hours)

This unit examines the organization of seed plants, focusing on the main plant tissues and their functions. Root, stem, and leaf structure and morphology are described, including the most common modifications.

The physiological section covers photosynthesis, photosynthetic pigments, water uptake, and transport processes within the plant.

Plant reproduction is studied through the life cycles of gymnosperms and angiosperms, pollen and ovule development, pollination, and the structure and function of flowers, fruits, and seeds.

The unit concludes with an introduction to the most important agricultural and forest plant families, including Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Fagaceae, and Pinaceae.

Learning outcomes: students understand the structure, function, and reproduction of seed plants and acquire the basic skills required for plant identification.

Unit 6 – Plant Biodiversity (5 hours)

This unit introduces the principles of plant biogeography and vegetation distribution. It covers biodiversity, ecosystem services, major threats to plant diversity, and the main conservation strategies, including protected areas, seed banks, and botanical gardens.

Learning outcomes: students understand the importance of plant biodiversity and the main tools used for its conservation.

Practical and Applied Activities (32 hours)

Practical activities include revision of course topics through educational materials and learning assessments based on exercises and group work.

A substantial part of the practical training is devoted to optical microscopy and plant tissue observation. Students will observe plant cells, chloroplasts, chromoplasts, starch grains, calcium oxalate crystals, and sections of leaves, stems, and roots from angiosperms and gymnosperms.

Additional activities include plant identification using analytical keys, floristic survey techniques, and herbarium preparation and management.

The course is complemented by seminars delivered by invited experts in collaboration with the course instructor.

Readings/Bibliography

The slides presented at lesson will be available in electronic format in internet. The students can obtain them by virtuale. 

The following test are recommended:

Mauseth J.D., Botanica Fondamenti di biologia delle piante Idelson-Gnocchi (2020 IV ed.)

Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C., Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. (2019 VI ed.)

Pancaldi et al. Fondamenti di Botanica generale. Teoria e pratica, McGraw-Hill (2019 II ed.)

Speranza A. & Calzoni G., Struttura delle Piante in Immagini, Zanichelli

For deepening:

Smith et al. Biologia delle piante. Evoluzione, Sviluppo. Metabolismo, 2011, Zanichelli

Teaching methods

The teacher stimulates the students with questions in order to understand their basic level of preparation and to solicit their interest and possible clarifying questions. The student general preparation will also assessed by simple written questionnaires. Moreover, students themselves must prepare the material to be observed at the microscope. Students must also draw an outline that will testify the comprehension of the observed structure.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit in laboratory, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme

Assessment methods

Assessment methods

The final assessment consists of an oral examination aimed at evaluating the student's knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the course.

Students will answer four questions, randomly selected from a pool prepared by the instructor. The questions will be distributed as follows:

• one question covering Units 1 and 6;
• two questions covering Unit 5;
• one question covering Units 2, 3 and 4.

Each question will be graded on a scale from 0 to 8 points, taking into account the accuracy of the answer, the use of appropriate scientific terminology, the clarity of presentation, and the ability to establish connections among different course topics.

The final score will be obtained by summing the points awarded for the four questions, with a maximum of 32 points. A score of 32/32 corresponds to a final grade of 30/30 with honors (cum laude). Lower scores will be converted proportionally to the Italian 30-point grading scale.

If a student is unable to answer a question, they may draw one replacement question from the same question category. In this case, a 4-point penalty will be applied to the score awarded for that question. No further replacement questions will be allowed

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

PC, projector, optical microscopy

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Zambonelli