Botany studies the various aspects of plant life, including the plant cell, the different organization levels, the morphological and anatomical structure of plants, the mechanisms of development and reproduction, the relationships between structure and function. Botany also concerns plant biodiversity in natural environments, main evolutionary lines and taxa, especially in relation to Spermatophyta.
The course (10 CFU) is subdivided into two modules each provided by laboratory and field experiences (4 + 1 CFU each). The examination and evaluation of the two parts are cumulative.
The course provides the acquisition of fundamental notions about the cell, the anatomical plant tissues and structure in the various groups. It also deals with developmental mechanisms and with the different modes of propagation and reproduction of plant organisms, especially in Angiosperms. The course provides the acquisition of the main knowledge on evolutionary lines, botanical nomenclature rules, taxonomic groups, including the characteristics of the main families of the Italian Flora and the use of analytical keys for their identification. Understanding the meaning and value of biodiversity.
Students are required to have a basic knowledge of cytology and developmental biology.
Frontal or/and on-line lectures plus final on-line tests (60 h)
Experiments in Laboratory or/and on-line (16 h)
On the field experiences (16 h)
Please refer to the AulaWeb platform for any specific updates to the teaching due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.
Ricevimento: Anytime, fixed upon request by telephone and by e-mail (minuto@dipteris.unige.it)
Ricevimento: Fixed upon request by e-mail (cornara@dipteris.unige.it)
LAURA CORNARA (President)
MAURO MARIOTTI
LUIGI MINUTO (President Substitute)
GABRIELE CASAZZA (Substitute)
BOTANY AND LABORATORY
Examination methods
The exam includes three written tests in progress, one related to general botany, one to systematic botany, and one to laboratory exercises. Only students with at least 75% attendance of laboratory exercises are admitted to the ongoing test. The final exam involves the presentation of a small herbarium; the overall grade is the weighted average of the marks obtained in the various tests. The partial grades are valid only for the summer session (June, July and September) of the current academic year.
Students who do not take or do not pass the tests in progress must take an oral exam on the complete program of the course.
Students who hold or pass only one of the in itinere tests of general botany and systematic botany can retrieve the missing proof with a single attempt, within the appeals of June and July of the current academic year.
Evaluation matrix
Wr.ex.Biol.
Wr.ex.Sist.
Lab.test
Herb.
Weighted value
50
25
20
5
explain and describe plant structure and function
X
apply methods of histological and anatomical investigations of plant tissues and organs
compare the reproductive cycles of main plant taxonomic groups
describe structure and functions of reproductive organs in spermatophytes
distinguish the main taxonomic groups
identify the main Angiosperm families
use the dichotomous recognition keys
use floral diagram and formulas
Some in itinere tests will be carried out. For the theoretical part (Bot. Gen. and Bot. Sistem.) two tests are scheduled, one at the end of each module. A final test of laboratory activities is scheduled, including the recognition of plant specimens. Upon completion of the evaluation, the presentation of a small herbarium is required.
Those who have not taken or passed the tests during the course must take a classic oral exam, concerning all the topics covered during the frontal lessons of the course (Plant Biol. + Syst.Bot. + Lab) and including awards for an anatomical section and of plant samples. The oral exam will aim to assess not only if the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge, but also if he has acquired the ability to link structure and functions in plants.
Frequency is strongly recommended. Attendance at the theoretical course (Plant Biol. and Systematic Bot.) will be sometimes monitored in order to check the interest to the course. To take the final written test of the Laboratory it is essential to attend classes at least 75%
