PLANT MORPHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1Module PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: ANTONIA EGIDIA CRISTAUDOExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding - upon successful completion of the course and passing the examination, students will be able to: describe the structure and properties of plant cell membranes, along with the molecular and physical mechanisms of short- and long-distance transport (water potential, solute potential, turgor pressure); illustrate the fundamental biochemical and biophysical processes of plant metabolism: the light and dark reactions of photosynthesis (Calvin cycle, C3, C4, and CAM ecophysiological adaptations, and photorespiration), cellular respiration (glycolysis and the Krebs cycle), and nitrogen assimilation; understand the dynamics of water and transpiration flows (transpiration and guttation) and the environmental factors regulating their balance; explain the physiological and molecular basis of plant hormones, the mechanisms of perception/response to environmental stimuli (tropisms), and developmental physiology (flowering and photoperiodism).
Applying knowledge and understanding - upon successful completion of the course and passing the examination, students will be able to: analyze and interpret the ecophysiological responses of plants to environmental factors (light, water, temperature, nutrient availability); correlate the morphological and anatomical characteristics of plant organs with their respective physiological functions (e.g., stomatal structure and transpiration, Kranz anatomy and C4 photosynthesis).
Making judgements - ability to critically evaluate physiological data and integrate molecular and morphological knowledge to understand the plant functioning as a complex system; guided classroom discussions of case studies and practical exercises analyzing experimental literature data.
Communication skills - development of the ability to present concepts of plant biology and physiology using precise terminology, employing a rigorous and appropriate scientific and botanical vocabulary; oral interaction during lectures and presentation/discussion of course topics during the final examination.
Learning skills - acquisition of the capacity to independently search, consult, and comprehend advanced scientific literature, field-specific journal articles, or plant physiology databases for continuous skill updates; guided self-study using supplementary bibliographic materials provided by the instructor.
Course Structure
The module (6 ECTS) will be delivered through lectures (6 ECTS = 42 contact hours). Theoretical lectures will be conducted using multimedia presentations (PowerPoint slides) integrated with whiteboard diagrams, using an interactive approach designed to stimulate students' critical reasoning regarding the relationships between structure, function, and environment. Teaching materials (presentations) will be made available to students via the university online platform (Studium / Microsoft Teams).
Required Prerequisites
To successfully attend and understand the course contents of Plant Physiology, students should possess the following background knowledge:
· Useful: Elementary notions of Botany (distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, classification of main plant groups).
· Important: Basic knowledge of Cellular Biology (eukaryotic cell organization, membrane structure, organelle function, basic principles of protein synthesis, and cellular energy metabolism).
· Essential: Fundamental concepts of General and Organic Chemistry (chemical bonds, redox reactions, pH, biological macromolecules and basic principles of Physics.
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is mandatory, in accordance with Article 30 of the University Regulations.
Detailed Course Content
The course covers the fundamental functions that regulate plant metabolism, growth, and development, constantly referencing the relationships between anatomical structure, physiology, and the environment. The course content is structured into the following thematic units:
- Cell and Membrane Physiology: Properties of plant membranes; active and passive transport; membrane potential; the role of the vacuole and the cell wall in osmotic relationships.
- Plant Water Relations: Water potential and its components; root water absorption; water movement along the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC); transpiration and stomatal regulation.
- Mineral Nutrition: Essential elements and their functions; ion absorption and transport; mineral deficiency symptoms.
- Long-Distance Transport: Xylem transport and the cohesion-tension theory; phloem transport of photoassimilates and the pressure-flow hypothesis; source-sink relationships.
- Respiratory Metabolism – Plant-Specific Aspects: Overview of mitochondrial respiration, with a focus on cyanide-resistant respiration, alternative oxidase (AOX), and their physiological significance (general pathways of glycolysis and the Krebs cycle are covered in the Biochemistry course).
- Photosynthesis: Light reactions (pigments, photosystems, electron transport,
photophosphorylation) and dark reactions (Calvin cycle); environmental
effects on photosynthesis; photorespiration; photosynthetic adaptations in
and CAM
plants. - Nitrogen Metabolism: Nitrogen assimilation and reduction; biological nitrogen fixation; overview of sulfur assimilation.
- Growth, Development, and Responses to Stimuli: Plant hormones (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, ethylene) and their roles; tropisms and plant movements; photomorphogenesis and phytochrome; physiology of flowering (photoperiodism and vernalization); overview of responses to abiotic stress.
- Seed Physiology: Seed maturation, dehydration, and storage reserve accumulation; seed dormancy (types and mechanisms) and its regulation; environmental control of germination (water, temperature, light); the role of the ABA–gibberellin balance in dormancy release; reserve mobilization and seedling establishment.
Textbook Information
- R.F. Evert & Eichorn S.E. La Biologia delle piante di Raven. Zanichelli ed., Bologna
- MAUSETH J. D., Botanica. Fondamenti di biologia delle piante. IV^ ed. 2019. Casa ed. Idelson-Gnocchi.
To study in deep
- M. Smith, G. Coupland, L. Dolan, N. Harberd, J. Jones, C. Martin, R.t Sablowski, A. Amey: Biologia delle piante. Edizione italiana a cura di Donato Chiatante – Zanichelli
- Pupillo P., Cervone F. Cresti M., Rascio N.: Biologia vegetale. Zanichelli
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The learning assessment evaluates the student's knowledge and understanding of fundamental plant physiological functions, alongside their ability to relate physiological processes to anatomical structures and environmental conditions.
Evaluation is divided into two distinct parts: a written exam followed by a final oral exam
· Written test:
o Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes).
o Structure: written multiple-choice and/or open-ended questions covering syllabus topics covered up to the test date (e.g., membrane physiology, water balance, cellular respiration, and photosynthesis).
o Passing threshold and validity: the test is passed with a score of at least 18/30. A passing score remains valid until the third examination session following the test.
· Final oral examination:
o For students who passed the mid-term test: the oral examination mainly covers the remaining topics of the syllabus and is specifically aimed at verifying and assessing the appropriate use of scientific language, botanical vocabulary precision, clarity of expression, and the ability to articulate and interconnect concepts.
o For students who did NOT take or pass the mid-term test (or whose score has expired): the oral examination covers the entire course syllabus, assessing both theoretical content knowledge and scientific terminology command.
Grades are expressed on a 30-point scale according to the following criteria:
Fail
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject: significant gaps and inaccuracies
- Analysis and synthesis skills: irrelevant, frequent generalizations
- Use of references: completely inappropriate
18–20
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject: very limited, noticeable flaws
- Analysis and synthesis skills: bare minimum / just sufficient
- Use of references: barely appropriate
21–23
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject: slightly more than sufficient
- Analysis and synthesis skills: fair analysis and synthesis skills, argues in a logical and coherent manner
- Use of references: uses standard references
24–26
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject: good knowledge
- Analysis and synthesis skills: good analysis and synthesis skills, topics are presented coherently
- Use of references: uses standard references
27–29
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject: more than good knowledge
- Analysis and synthesis skills: remarkable analysis and synthesis skills
- Use of references: has explored the topics in depth
30–30 cum laude
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject: excellent knowledge
- Analysis and synthesis skills: remarkable analysis and synthesis skills
- Use of references: significant in-depth insights
Assessment of learning may also be conducted remotely, should conditions require it.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the Department
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Examples of Written Exam Questions:
– What are the components of water potential, and how do they determine its value in a plant cell?
– Differences between the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions) of photosynthesis: cellular location, role of light, and main products.
– Comparison of C3, C4, and CAM photosynthetic pathways in relation to adaptation to arid environments.
Examples of Oral Exam Questions:
– Define water potential and its components, and explain how it regulates water movement in the plant.
– Describe the mechanism of stomatal opening and closing and its role in transpiration. – Explain the pressure-flow mechanism in phloem transport and the source-sink relationships.
– Describe nitrogen assimilation and the process of biological nitrogen fixation.