18457 - Plant Morphophysiology

Learning outcomes

Through this course the students acquire knowledge regarding the cell, tissue, anatomical features of higher plants; they gain an understanding of the complex relationships underpinning anatomy and physiology of higher plants, in relation root up take, photosynthesis and transpiration. The students learn the major plant hormones and their relationship with the environment and plant responses, including: hormone/receptor interactions, signal transduction and amplification, control of response at various time scales.

Course contents

Students will acquire knowledge on higher plants cells, tissues, organs, organisms by exploiting the many links between anatomy and physiology.

in detail, the following itopics will be discussed: .

• Living matter constituents: molecules, macromolecules, polymers. Energy, enzymes, metabolism.

• Cytology: prokaryotic, eukaryotic cell; cell wall and cell membrane, nucleus. Cellular organelles: mitochondria, plastids, glyoxysomes. Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, the vacuole, the Cell cycle.

• Histology: Pseudo-tissues and true tissues. Meristems, adult tissues. Parenchymatous, tegumental, conducting, mechanic, reserve, excretory tissues. Xylem and phloem.

• Organs: root, stem, leaf structure and functions.

• Plant water relations: water functions, water uptake, transport to leaves and fruit. Root pressure, embolism.
  
  
• Stress physiology: environmental stresses, adaptive mechanisms, damage. Heat stress, water deficit, salt stress.

• Mineral nutrition: uptake and transport of nutrients, macro and micronutrients, main function of mineral nutrients.

• Photosynthesis: wavelengths, photoreceptors, light reactions, carbon fixation.

• Respiration

• Exogenous factors of plant growth: phytocrome, fototropine, gravity, tropism.
  
  
• Stress physiology: environmental stresses, adaptive mechanisms, damage. Heat stress, water deficit, salt stress.

Readings/Bibliography

TAIZ L. & ZEIGER E. Plant Physiology, 2010 SIANUER, Sunderland (MA)

EVERT R.F., EICHHORN S.E., La biologia delle piante di Raven. Zanichelli Editore

PANCALDI S., BALDISSEROTTO C., FERRONI L., PANTALEONI L., Fondamenti di Botanica Generale - Teoria e Pratica. McGraw-Hill Education (2011).

RASCIO N. Elementi di fisiologia vegetale. EDISES (2017).

ALTAMURA M.M., BIONDI S., COLOMBO L., GUZZI F., Elementi di biologia e dello sviluppo delle piante. EDISES (2012).

For deeper knowledge:

MAUSETH J.D. Botanica. Fondamenti di biologia delle piante. IDELSON-GNOCCHI (2020)

Class presentations and notes are available on the website (didattica online)

Teaching methods

Teaching is divided in 2 parts: lessons in classroom and practical activities in gardens, field and laboratories.

To participate to laboratory and field practical activities students are required to attend health and safety training courses. All information are available at the following link: 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

Assessment methods

The student learning acquisition will be evaluated at the end of the teaching lessons and consist of a 20-40 minuts final exam, which aims to quantify the skillness and expected expertise through an oral examintion with no possibility to use books, notes, or any other supports. The oral examination includes an interview with the aim to evaluate the student learning level, ability of critical analysis, capability to link the different topics taught in class.

The Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to 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 to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives

Teaching tools

The class will be run with the help of digital slides (power point or similar). Upon agreement the teacher is available to give exrtra explanation to student with learning difficulties.

Microscopes and other laboratory equipment. Water relations and gas exchanges scientific instruments.

Office hours

See the website of Moreno Toselli