12818 - Plant Biology (A-L)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students will have acquired knowledge on plant biology at the cytological, histological and anatomical levels, as well as basic facts about plant reproduction, differentiation, and physiology (photosynthesis, nitrogen cycle, hormones).

Course contents

The various branches of plant biology and historical notes. Principal characteristics of plants and their uses for Man. Main chemical constituents of living cells (water, essential elements, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids). The plant cell (size, shape, organelles). Plant cell walls (primary and secondary). Cytoskeleton (mitotic spindle, phragmoplast, PPB). Vacuole (functions, formation, contents). Plastids (structure, functions, ontogenesis and interconversions). Chloroplasts (ultrastructure, genome, pigments, size and shape). Morphological organization of plants (thallophytes, cormophytes) and evolution of land plants. Processes of cellular growth (division, expansion) and differentiation. Meristems (primary, secondary, adventitious) and meristemoids. Intercellular connections (plasmodesmata, pits). Adult tissues (tegumental, mechanical, vascular, parenchyma, secretory): cytology and functions. Anatomy (primary and secondary structure) of stems and roots. Xylem and phloem transport. Description and functions of the organs of higher plants, and their morphological modifications. The carbon cycle. Photosynthetic pigments (chemical structure, absorbance, interaction with light). Photosynthesis (light/dark cycle, C4 plants, Crassulacean Acid Metabolism). Photorespiration. Nitrogen cycle (saprophytes, nitrogen-fixing bacteria). The legume-Rhizobium symbiosis. Secondary metabolites (chemical structures, functions in plants, uses). Sexual plant reproduction (Angiosperms). Seed germination. Vegetative propagation and plant tissue culture. Plant hormones: definition, functions, methods of analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

LONGO - Biologia vegetale: Forme e Funzioni   oppure   Morfologia e Fisiologia (ed. UTET)

MAUSETH - Botanica - Fondamenti di Biologia delle Piante (ed.Grasso)

MAUSETH - BotanicaParte Generale (ed. Idelson Gnocchi)

BAGNI, GENTILE, MARCHI, TRIPODI, VANNINI, ZANNONI – Botanica II edizione (Monduzzi editore)

BAGNI, DE DOMINICIS, GENTILE, TRIPODI, ZANNONI – Botanica III edizione

(Monduzzi Editore)

PUPILLO e altri - Biologia Vegetale (ed. Zanichelli )

SPERANZA E CALZONI – Struttura delle Piante in Immagini (ed. Zanichelli)

Assessment methods

written and oral examination

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Biondi