65928 - Plant Biology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will possess basic knowledge on the anatomy, morphology, growth and reproduction of different groups of plants, on the evolutionary aspects and on the relationships of plants with the surrounding environment. The student will be able to evaluate the biodiversity and classification of plant to the highest levels. He/She will have knowledge of the morphological and physiological adaptations of plants to environmental variables and the main stress and will learn how some physiological processes can affect the environment. The student will have basic notions on various applications of plants.

Course contents

Peculiar characteristics of plant organisms. Anatomy of the plant cell with description of its specific organelles: cell wall, plastids, vacuole. Base concepts of evolution and classification of photosynthetic organisms. Morphological characteristics, life cycles and ecological relevance of algae, briophytes, pteridophytes and spermatophytes with outline of systematics. Plant tissue organization and description of the anatomy of stem, leaf, root, flower with hints on the characters useful for plant classification. Basic concepts of main physiological processes (photosynthesis, water transport) and of adaptations to environmental stresses in regard to their specific biome.

Readings/Bibliography

Mauseth J.D.: Botany - An introduction to plant biology

Teaching methods

The course consists of 2 parts:

• 4 CFU of lectures held by Prof. Pistocchi
• 1 CFU of frontal lessons and 1 CFU of practical exercises held by Prof. Pezzolesi

Part of the exercises are carried out in a laboratory with 15 microscopes and 15 screens for students, plus a microscope with a camera in which the teacher can display and explain the section to all students.

The purpose of the practical part is to let the student learn the use of the optical microscope and how to prepare sections of plant tissues. The sections will be viewed under the microscope and different types of cells will be recognized, even through specific stainings. Other observations under the microscope will concern photosynthetic microorganisms, in particular cyanobacteria and microalgae.

Some exercises aimed at the attribution of plants to a specific botanical family or to specific taxonomic groups will be performed in "quiz" mode. All students, even those who do not participate in the exercises in person, must enter the results of the quizzes in electronic sheets that will be delivered and evaluated by the teachers.
The course includes an educational trip to the Botanical Garden of Bologna where students can observe live plants belonging to different taxa even in typical reconstructed environment.

Assessment methods

The final examination aims to the following objectives evaluation:

• Knowledge of the role of the different plant groups in the environment relatively to: carbon cycle, resourses utilization (light, water, CO2, inorganic nutrients), interactions with microorganisms and adaptive responses.
• Knowledge of the anatomy, growth and reproduction aspects of the main taxa and of peculiar aspects related to their identification.

The vote will be assigned following the delivery of a short report on a plant species, choosen by the student, and the positive result of a written test. The test contains 6 open questions one of which is relative to the identification of an organ structure and to its description. The positive score is comprised between 18 and 30. The exam can be passed also by students not attending the practical part. The evaluation of the report and of the tests related to the exercises will contribute to the formulation of the final grade.

Examples of the written test and of the plant report are available in the Teaching material site of the teacher.

In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires all students to complete the e-learning modules 1 and 2, and to participate to module 3 on specific training on safety and health in the places of study. Information on dates and methods of attendance of module 3 are reported in the specific section of the degree program website.

Teaching tools

Frontal lectures are supported by PowerPoint slides available through the teaching material site of UNIBO, attainable through username and password given by the University to the enrolled students. The teacher will utilize also live material or replicas.

For microscope observations freshly collected plant materials will be used. The participation to the practicals is highly recommended but not mandatory. Picture of the sections observed will be delivered through the teaching material.

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Pistocchi

See the website of Laura Pezzolesi