LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides the fundamental concepts of plant biology through the study of morphology, anatomy physiology and molecular biology. In addition the course describe the wide genetic variation of the plant kingdom.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is aimed at providing the essential elements of plant biology, including morphology, anatomy,
physiology, and development and reproductive biology of superior plants.
It is also aimed at providing a general view of plant genetic diversity, and showing applications of these
notions to domestication processes, and improvement and selection of ornamental plants.

TEACHING METHODS

Class lessons, microscope observations of plant samples, visit to the Botanical Garden of the University of Genova and to the Institute of Biophysics (CNR).

Please refer to AulaWeb for any updates due to changes in the epidemiological situation.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Program of Part I (Plant Biology) 2017/18 per Biotecnologie (3CFU):
-Elements of plant biology: similarities and differences between plants and animals; Systematics of main
plant taxa; applications of plant biology to medicinal chemistry, medicine, and environmental sciences.
- Distinctive features of the plant cell: cell wall (primary and secondary cell wall, cell wall changes and
related functional aspects); vacuole (functions, vacuole contents and secondary metabolites); plastids
(plasticity, functions, pigments).
- Plant anatomical structure: evolutionary change from thallus to cormus; pseudotissues and tissues;
differentiation of meristem cells into adult cells and regulatory factors; totipotency of plant cells; examples
of programmed cell death (PCD). Plant tissues: localization, meristem organization and function, tegument,
parenchyma, storage, mechanical, and transporting tissues, and stele.
- Root, stem, leaves, flower: features and functions; elements of plant nutrition and transport mechanisms;
plant adaptations to different environments and defense mechanisms.
- General aspects of photosynthesis.

The course will include observations of plant samples with light transmission and scanning electron
microscopes (SEM), a visit to the Botanical Garden of Genova University with observations of living
plant individuals (especially plants of economical, nutritional, and medicinal importance), a visit to the patch-clamp labs of the Institute of Biophysics (CNR).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

-Solomon et al. "Struttura e processi vitali nelle piante",7a edizione, Edisess, 2017

- Sadava et al. "Biologia. La biologia delle piante", 3a edizione, Zanichelli. 2009