AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides basic knowledge of plant biology, including the importance of plants in ecosystems and for different fields of application .

The above notions are complementary to the course of Biologia Generale and are propedeutic to the courses of Botanica Sistematica e Geobotanica, besides other alternative courses based on botanical topics.

At the end of the course students will be able to:

- describe the features of plant cells;

- make a description and comparison of morphological and anatomical of different plant taxa;

- illustrating the main reproduction processes of Spermatophyta;

- understanding the life processes of Spermatophyta;

- distinguishing the main groups of botanical entities (fungi, algae, mosses, and Spermatophyta);

- identifying the shrubs and trees typical of the main communities of Italian vegetation.

TEACHING METHODS

Class lessons and exercises and field experiences. In class exercises examples of plant organs and their modifications will be shown, and the use of dichotomous keys for plant classification will be illustrated. In field experiences, students will have the opportunity of observing and identifying the main shurbs and trees in their natural environment.

The presence of students to lessons and field experiences is not mandatory, but strongly advised.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The basic features of plants and the role of these latter in natural environments. Structural and functional organization of plants. Affinities and differences between plants and animals. Structure and functions of plant cells: cell wall, vacuoles, and plastids. Plant tissues and anatomy. Organization and growth of plants: stem, leaf, and root. Modifications of the shoot and adaptation to environment. Life processes of spermatophytes: water balance and transport; development; reproduction. The flower and double fertilization of Angiosperms. Elements of plant taxonomy. The Italian plant communities: main phytocoenoses of the Italian land, their species and distinctive features.    

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Solomon et al. 2017. Struttura e processi vitali nelle piante , VII ed. EdiSES

VENTURELLI F., VIRLI L., 1995 - Invito alla Botanica, Zanichelli, Bologna

Altri testi di consultazione
Speranza A. e Calzoni G. L., 1996. Struttura delle Piante in Immagini. Zanichelli. Bologna
GIACOMINI V., FENAROLI L., 1958 - La Flora. Collana "Conosci l'Italia.". Touring Club Italiano,
SIMONETTI G., GOLDSTEIN M., WATSCHINGER M., 1994 - Alberi d'Europa. Mondadori
BANFI E., CONSOLINO F., 1996 - Alberi. De Agostini

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIUSEPPINA ALBINA BARBERIS (President)

GIORGIO BAVESTRELLO (President)

LAURA CORNARA (President)

MARCO BERTOLINO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Starting month: November

Class schedule

GENERAL BIOLOGY AND ELEMENTS OF BOTANY AND ZOOLOG

EXAMS

Exam schedule