BOTANY 1

Learn about plant diversity at the morphological and reproductive level with reference to the mechanisms of evolution.

The course (7 + 2 CFU) will be held by conducting lectures, accompanied by power point presentations, laboratory exercises and field work.

The course is divided into two modules. Module I (3 ECTS) provides preliminary and general knowledge on plant biology; Module II (6 ECTS) is dedicated to the study of biodiversity in Algae, Mycetes and, moreover, land plants.

Module I

Autotrophic prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structural levels and nutrition modes (parasitic, saprotrophic and symbiontic organisms). Notes on photosynthesis. Role of plants in the biosphere. Characteristics of the eukaryotic plant cell (plastids, vacuoles, cell wall). Cell division and cytokinesis. Origin of the eukaryotic cell. The different degrees of structural organization (thallusl, corm). Classification and phylogeny. Main classification systems. Botanical nomenclature. Hints on speciation processes. The asexual reproduction, sporogony, sexual reproduction. Mode and meaning of the different types of reproduction. Metagenetic and ontogenetic cycles and their evolutionary significance. Sexuality in plants: hermaphrodite plants, monoecious and dioecious. The photoautotrophic prokaryotes. The Cyanobacteria.

Module II
Fungi: morphology, reproduction, ecology and main biological cycles (Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes). The heterotrophic protists: Oomycetes. Algae: thallus organization, morphological and ecological adaptations, reproduction and main biological cycles (Rodophyta, Heterocontae, Chlorophyta). The conquest of the land: causes, theories, adaptations to terrestrial life. Outline of the oldest land plants. Nonvascular cryptogams: morphology, reproduction and life history. The main groups (Bryophytes, Hepatophytes and Antocerophytes). Vascular cryptogams: vegetative and reproductive characters, biological cycle; isospory and heterospory. The main groups (Licophytes, Psilotophytes, Sfenophytes and Pterophytes) .Spermatofite: reproductive system, pollination and fertilization, egg and sperm. Gymnosperms: vegetative and reproductive apparatus, the biological cycle. The main groups (Cicadophytes, Ginkgophytes, Coniferophytes, Gnetophytes). Angiosperms: vegetative and reproductive characters, flowers and inflorescences, pollination and fertilization, seed, fruit, dissemination. Distinctive characteristics and uses of the main Mediterranean families. Plants and people.

1. EVERT R.F. & EICHORN S.E, La biologia delle piante di Raven. 7^ ed. 2013. Zanichelli ed., Bologna.

2. MAUSETH J. D., Botanica. Fondamenti di biologia delle piante. IV^ ed. 2019. Casa ed. Idelson-Gnocchi.

3. GEROLA F.M., Biologia vegetale. 3^ ed. 1998. UTET (per il capitolo sulla riproduzione)

4. GEROLA F.M., Biologia e diversità dei vegetali. 1995. UTET (per l'argomento "organizzazione del corpo dei vegetali")

Booklet provided by the teacher (The Mediterranean families of Angiosperms)