13622 - Plant Biology and Animal Biology

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide the student with the fundamental principles of the biology of living animal and plant organisms, of the organization and functioning of cells, starting from biological macromolecules and arriving at the study of tissues and tissue sets. At the end of the course the student knows the organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, animal and vegetable, the structure and functions of the different cellular compartments, the mechanisms of communication between cells, the modes of cell division, and the general aspects of reproduction. He acquires the fundamental notions useful for the recognition of the main tissues and organs of plants and learns the role of plants in environmental remediation and the main mechanisms underlying this role. The learning of these basic notions will allow the student to build a solid foundation to be able to continue the study of biological subjects in the following years

Course contents

Lectures

Biological macromolecules: amino acids and proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids. The prokaryotic cell is the origin of the eukaryotic cell. The animal eukaryotic cell: structure and function of the plasma membrane, cell compartments, cytoskeleton and nucleus. The plant eukaryotic cell: the typical compartments of the plant cell. Chromosome structure and karyotype. DNA duplication, DNA transcription, protein synthesis. The genetic code. The cell cycle: mitosis and meiosis. Asexual and sexual reproduction. Mendelian genetics: complete dominance, incomplete dominance and codominance. Gene-gene and gene-environment interaction. Sex-related inheritance. Lyon's hypothesis. Genomic and chromosomal mutations.

Plant histology: meristematic tissues and adult tissues. The organs of vascular land plants: root, stem and leaf, their morphology and functions. Primary and secondary structure of the plant.

Main types of air, water, and soil pollutants. Role of plant organisms in the environmental remediation. Plants as sensors of the quality of air. Phytotechnologies for the environmental remediation. 

Systematics: definition and aims. Criteria for the classification of the plant kingdom. The main taxonomic groups. Reproductive cycles in plant organisms: aplonte, diplont and haplo-diplont cycle. General and reproductive characteristics of Algae, Fungi, Lichens, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms.

Laboratory activities

Laboratory exercises will accompany the lectures starting from the second half of the program. The exercises involve the preparation of fresh preparations of plant materials and their observation under an optical microscope. This observation is aimed at recognizing the structure and organization of the plant cell, tissues and organs of Angiosperms and Gymnosperm plants.

Attendance at the laboratory activities is mandatory to obtain the signature of attendance of the course and to be able to take the exam.

Readings/Bibliography

The texbooks are mandatory for integrating the teaching material provided by the Teacher. 

Recommended textbooks:

1. Sadava, Hillis, Heller, Hacker - BIOLOGIA - Zanichelli

Vol. 1. La cellula

Vol. 2. L’eredità e il genoma

Vol. 4. la biologia delle piante

3. Atlas for the practical activities: Speranza A., Calzoni G.L. Struttura delle piante in immagini - Zanichelli Editore

Teaching methods

Lectures include the use of teaching material in the form of video-projected Power Point slides.

Practical lessons include the preparation of sections of fresh plant material and direct observation under an optical microscope in laboratories with single workstations.

During the practical exercises, students prepare a paper accompanied by images or drawings of the preparations observed under the microscope, which is then delivered at the time of the exam and which will contribute to the final evaluation.

The attendance at the practical lessons is mandatory in order to take the exam, while the attendance at lectures is strongly recommended.

For admission to the practical laboratory activities, students must compulsorily acquire the certification on specific safety training by attending both modules 1 and 2 (in e-learning mode; https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/], and module 3 (in presence). Information on the dates and methods of attendance of module 3 can be found in the appropriate section of the Degree Programme website.

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed solely through the final exam, which consists of a 60-minute written test.

The written test consists of a 30-question multiple-choice exam covering all topics in the syllabus (1 point per question).

The use of AI tools during the exam is prohibited in any form. Any use, even minimal, of such tools constitutes a violation of academic integrity. In the event of unlawful behaviour by the student, the learning assessment will take place orally at the next session.

Registration for the exam must be completed through the Almaesami website.

Official exam sessions are scheduled for January, February, March, or April (Easter session), June, July, September, and December.

The first available exam session for first-year students is in January.

Students who are behind in their studies may request to take exams outside the official exam windows.

Exams are held at the Imola campus, in Palazzo Vespignani.

Students with learning disabilities or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the responsible office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Requests for accommodations must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the instructor, who will assess the appropriateness of the accommodations, taking into account the course objectives.

 

Teaching tools

The slides used for lectures are available to students on the Virtuale platform. This course material alone is not sufficient for proper exam preparation and must be supplemented by consulting the recommended textbook.

Office Hours

The Teacher is available to meet with students on class days at the Imola campus. It is preferable to send an email in advance to arrange a time for the meeting.

 

Office hours

See the website of Fabiana Antognoni