The main goal of the course are to introduce students to different topics in evolution and systematic of plants, algae, and fungi. The expected learning results are the capacity of understanding diversity and acquiring general methods to recognize these organisms at different taxonomic levels. At the end of the course students should have acquired the ability to use the identification keys of vascular plants and fungi.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of cytology, in particular cellular reproduction (meiosis and mitosis). Basic knowledge of general botany: the plant cell, the organs of a plant (roots, stems and leaves).
Teaching Methods
The course includes frontal lessons aimed at providing a general overview of the evolution and systematic of plants, algae and fungi, field excursion to observe and collect vascular plants and practical exercises during which students will be able to observe, with the help of microscopes and stereo-microscopes, samples of organisms belonging to the systematic groups treated during the lessons and use the keys to determination for the recognition of vascular plants. During the exercises, there will be given the indications needed to make a herbarium of vascular plants. There are written preparation monitoring tests with open questions and questions with multiple answers.
Assessment Methods
Oral exam: the oral exam includes the identification and description of one of families of Angiosperms discussed in class and open questions on the main topics of the course
Texts
1) Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C., 2025 Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale. V edition. Piccin editore
2) Lecture notes provided by the teacher
3) pdf of some lessons provided through the Kiro portal
Contents
Aims and mainstay of Systematic Botany; classification systems; systematic and phylogenetic taxonomy; Nomenclature; organization and morphology of plants; vegetative and sexual reproduction; reproductive cycles: alternance of nuclear phases, alternance of generation; aplont, diplont and aplodiplont cycles Cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes: general characteristics, reproduction, ecology, distribution, phylogeny, systematics; Spermatophytes: organization, stamens, pollen, carpels, ovules; biological cycle, pollination, fertilization, seed; systematic of Spermatophytae; Gymnosperms: general characteristics and reproduction, systematic; Angiosperms: vegetative organs, flower, floral wrap, pollination, fertilization; seeds and fruits; systematic; main families of Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons in the Italian flora. Herbaria and their uses in the study of systematic botany. Fungi: general characteristics, systematic and reproduction, ecological role of fungi, symbiotic interactions fungi-algae, fungi-plants, fungi-animals, generalities of applied mycology.
