BOTANY 4

Learn about plant diversity at a morphological and reproductive level with reference to evolutionary processes. Understand the differences between groups of tallophytes, fungi and higher plants with reference to the main phylogenetic relationships.

The Botany 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 plant biodiversity.

Module I

Prokaryotes and autotrophic eukaryotes. Structural levels and ways of nutrition (parasitic organisms, saprotrophs and symbionts). Notes on chlorophyll photosynthesis. Role of plants in the biosphere. General characteristics of the eukaryotic plant cell. The different degrees of structural organization (thallus, corm). Vegetative reproduction, sporogony, sexual reproduction. Mode and meaning of the different types of reproduction. Ontogenetic cycles and metagenetic cycles and their evolutionary significance. Systematics, Taxonomy and Botanical Nomenclature. Photoautotrophic prokaryotes. The Cyanobacteria.

Module II

Fungi: thallus morphology, reproduction, trophism, ecology and main biological cycles (Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota). The heterotrophic protists: Oomycota. Algae: thallus organization, reproduction and main biological cycles (Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, Bacillariophyta). The conquest of land: causes, theories, adaptations to terrestrial life. Non-vascular cryptogams (bryophytes): morphology, reproduction and life cycle; the main groups (Bryophyta, Marchantiophyta, Anthocerotophyta). Vascular cryptogams (pteridophytes): vegetative and reproductive characters, biological cycle; isospory and heterospory; the main groups (Rhiniophyta, Lycophyta, Psilotophyta, Sphenophyta, Pterophyta). Spermatophytes: reproductive systems, pollination and fertilization, ovule and seed. Gymnosperms: vegetative and reproductive systems, biological cycle; the main groups (Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Conipherophyta, Gnetophyta). Angiosperms: vegetative and reproductive characters, flower and inflorescences, pollination and fecundation, seed, fruits and infructescences, dissemination. Distinctive features of the main families. Floristic sampling and analytical keys. Herbarium. Elements of phytogeography

1. Ray F Evert & Susan E Eichhorn 2013. Biologia delle piante di Raven. Zanichelli

2. Gabriella Pasqua, Giovanna Abbate, Cinzia Forni 2019. Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale. Piccin