ID:
510584
Duration (hours):
72
CFU:
9
SSD:
BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 19/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide adequate vocabulary and basic knowledge of plant organisms useful for understanding medicinal species. Through the training course the student will acquire theoretical and practical skills relating to plant biology and pharmaceutical botany.
The expected learning outcomes are the following:
. Knowledge of the structure of plants through the study of the peculiar characteristics of the plant cell, of the different tissue systems, and of their organization in vegetative organs (stem, leaf, root). Knowledge of the systematics and correct nomenclature of algae, fungi and plants. Knowledge of the photosynthetic process underlying plant metabolism.
. Knowledge of the specific language for the description of medicinal plants and herbal drugs, from the microscopic level of cellular structure to the macroscopic level of morphology. Knowledge of the essential terminology inherent to the basics of tracheophyte systematics and the distributional phytogeography of plants.
. Knowledge of the fundamental notions regarding conservation, alteration and extraction of herbal drugs.
. Ability to evaluate, thanks to the analysis of the many examples of medicinal tracheophytes, the meaning of their pharmaceutical importance and the role of the different floristic territories as sources of plant biodiversity important for pharmaceutical purposes.
. Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to be able to provide the general public with basic information on plant organisms of medicinal and officinal interest and to direct them to a rational use of these resources.
. Ability to orient yourself in choosing sources and fundamental information to update yourself and acquire new knowledge on medicinal and officinal plants.
The expected learning outcomes are the following:
. Knowledge of the structure of plants through the study of the peculiar characteristics of the plant cell, of the different tissue systems, and of their organization in vegetative organs (stem, leaf, root). Knowledge of the systematics and correct nomenclature of algae, fungi and plants. Knowledge of the photosynthetic process underlying plant metabolism.
. Knowledge of the specific language for the description of medicinal plants and herbal drugs, from the microscopic level of cellular structure to the macroscopic level of morphology. Knowledge of the essential terminology inherent to the basics of tracheophyte systematics and the distributional phytogeography of plants.
. Knowledge of the fundamental notions regarding conservation, alteration and extraction of herbal drugs.
. Ability to evaluate, thanks to the analysis of the many examples of medicinal tracheophytes, the meaning of their pharmaceutical importance and the role of the different floristic territories as sources of plant biodiversity important for pharmaceutical purposes.
. Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to be able to provide the general public with basic information on plant organisms of medicinal and officinal interest and to direct them to a rational use of these resources.
. Ability to orient yourself in choosing sources and fundamental information to update yourself and acquire new knowledge on medicinal and officinal plants.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of general biology, with reference to cell structures. Knowledge of living organisms and the basics of chemistry and organic chemistry provided by secondary school.
Teaching Methods
The teaching uses lectures and field exercises with an educational visit to the botanical garden and two ongoing test simulations with presentation of the type of questions and discussion of the topics involved.
For students with specific needs, who cannot attend teaching activities in person and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Modality, teaching material suitable for fruitful independent study will be available. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, and by dedicated meetings, including online, with time flexibility depending on needs."
The teaching materials include the presentations of the lessons available through the Kiro moodle platform, which is also used for the organization of ongoing tests, the communication of results and communications with students.
For students with specific needs, who cannot attend teaching activities in person and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Modality, teaching material suitable for fruitful independent study will be available. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, and by dedicated meetings, including online, with time flexibility depending on needs."
The teaching materials include the presentations of the lessons available through the Kiro moodle platform, which is also used for the organization of ongoing tests, the communication of results and communications with students.
Assessment Methods
Two written tests are planned. The tests included:
• Multiple choice questions with true/false answers, quizzes to complete, to test the student's ability to answer specific questions relating to the structures and processes covered during the lessons,
• Questions that ask the meaning of specific terms or definitions, aimed at verifying understanding of the terminology used during the lectures,
• Questions that require a brief description of a process, a tissue, an organ, aimed at verifying language skills, synthesis ability, understanding of theoretical concepts,
• Questions that require the recognition of images and/or patterns, aimed at verifying the student's ability to recognize a process starting from an illustrated diagram or to recognize an organelle, a tissue or a plant organ starting from the image of a microscopic preparation or from a schematic drawing,
Numerous examples of exam questions are presented during the lectures. Each ongoing test includes questions that deal with all the topics referred to in the part of the module considered.
The final grade is made up of the average of the grades obtained in the two written tests .
Alternatively, the student can take an oral exam in the sessions in February (2), June-July (2) and September (2). This usually includes around 4-6 questions covering all topics covered.
• Multiple choice questions with true/false answers, quizzes to complete, to test the student's ability to answer specific questions relating to the structures and processes covered during the lessons,
• Questions that ask the meaning of specific terms or definitions, aimed at verifying understanding of the terminology used during the lectures,
• Questions that require a brief description of a process, a tissue, an organ, aimed at verifying language skills, synthesis ability, understanding of theoretical concepts,
• Questions that require the recognition of images and/or patterns, aimed at verifying the student's ability to recognize a process starting from an illustrated diagram or to recognize an organelle, a tissue or a plant organ starting from the image of a microscopic preparation or from a schematic drawing,
Numerous examples of exam questions are presented during the lectures. Each ongoing test includes questions that deal with all the topics referred to in the part of the module considered.
The final grade is made up of the average of the grades obtained in the two written tests .
Alternatively, the student can take an oral exam in the sessions in February (2), June-July (2) and September (2). This usually includes around 4-6 questions covering all topics covered.
Texts
Maugini E., Maleci Bini L., Mariotti Lippi M., 2014 – Manuale di botanica farmaceutica (IX edizione). Piccin Nuova
Libraria Editoriale, Padova.
Poli F. (ed.), 2019 - Biologia Farmaceutica. Pearson Italia, Milano (for further readings).
On Kiro web site it is possible to download the slides shown in classes.
Libraria Editoriale, Padova.
Poli F. (ed.), 2019 - Biologia Farmaceutica. Pearson Italia, Milano (for further readings).
On Kiro web site it is possible to download the slides shown in classes.
Contents
PART ONE - The Plant Cell. The typical plant cell. Plastids: typology and structure. The cell wall: development, structure and
composition of middle lamella, primary cell wall and secondary cell wall. Vacuole: development, functions and contents.
The Plant Tissues. Meristems. Parenchymes. Integumental Tissues. Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma. Xylem and
Phloem. External and internal Secretory Tissues.
The Plant Organs. Corm and Seed. The stem: morphology, anatomy, functions, buds, vegetative apex, branching
patterns, primary structure and secondary structure.
The leaf: morphology, functions and anatomy. The root: morphology, functions, zoning longitudinal, anatomy, primary structure, branching mode and secondary structure.
The Photosynthesis. C3 cycle: light reactions and dark reactions; C4 and CAM cycles. Photorespiration.
Alternation of generations, gametophyte
and sporophyte.
Medicinal plant, herbal drugs and active phytocompounds. Alteration, conservation and extraction of herbal drugs.
PART TWO - The kingdoms of organisms analyzed by pharmaceutical botany. The systematic study of organisms; systematic hierarchy; systematic nomenclature; artificial and natural systems of organisms. Cyanobacteria, Chromista and brown algae (Phaeophyta, Phaeophyceae): Laminariales and Fucales. Red Algae (Rhodophyta, Rhodophyceae): Bangiales, Nemalionales, Cryptonemiales, Gigartinales.
Fungi. Zygote Fungi (Zygomycota): Mucorales; Sac Fungi (Ascomycota): Saccharomycetes Eurotiomycetes, Sordariomycetes. Basidiomycetes (Basidiomycota): Agaricomycetes, Ustilagomycetes; poisonous Fungi; Fungi Imperfecti (Deuteromycota). Lichens (Mycophycophyta).
Tracheophytes without seeds or Pteridophytes: Lycophyta; Sphenophyta and Filicophyta.
Tracheophytes with seeds or Spermatophytes or seed plants: flower, pollen, ovule, seed.
Gymnosperms: Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta and Gnetophyta.
Angiosperms (Magnoliophyta): inflorescence, fruit; dicots (Magnoliopsida) and monocots (Liliopsida).
Several medicinal tracheophytes of different phytogeographical origin are presented as examples taking into consideration taxonomical setting, proper nomenclature, morphology, geographical distribution, characteristics of drug, main active phytocompounds and some information concerning pharmacological use and other uses.
Concepts of flora, distribution area, floristic element, floristic region. Native and alien plant species. Threatened plant species.
composition of middle lamella, primary cell wall and secondary cell wall. Vacuole: development, functions and contents.
The Plant Tissues. Meristems. Parenchymes. Integumental Tissues. Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma. Xylem and
Phloem. External and internal Secretory Tissues.
The Plant Organs. Corm and Seed. The stem: morphology, anatomy, functions, buds, vegetative apex, branching
patterns, primary structure and secondary structure.
The leaf: morphology, functions and anatomy. The root: morphology, functions, zoning longitudinal, anatomy, primary structure, branching mode and secondary structure.
The Photosynthesis. C3 cycle: light reactions and dark reactions; C4 and CAM cycles. Photorespiration.
Alternation of generations, gametophyte
and sporophyte.
Medicinal plant, herbal drugs and active phytocompounds. Alteration, conservation and extraction of herbal drugs.
PART TWO - The kingdoms of organisms analyzed by pharmaceutical botany. The systematic study of organisms; systematic hierarchy; systematic nomenclature; artificial and natural systems of organisms. Cyanobacteria, Chromista and brown algae (Phaeophyta, Phaeophyceae): Laminariales and Fucales. Red Algae (Rhodophyta, Rhodophyceae): Bangiales, Nemalionales, Cryptonemiales, Gigartinales.
Fungi. Zygote Fungi (Zygomycota): Mucorales; Sac Fungi (Ascomycota): Saccharomycetes Eurotiomycetes, Sordariomycetes. Basidiomycetes (Basidiomycota): Agaricomycetes, Ustilagomycetes; poisonous Fungi; Fungi Imperfecti (Deuteromycota). Lichens (Mycophycophyta).
Tracheophytes without seeds or Pteridophytes: Lycophyta; Sphenophyta and Filicophyta.
Tracheophytes with seeds or Spermatophytes or seed plants: flower, pollen, ovule, seed.
Gymnosperms: Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta and Gnetophyta.
Angiosperms (Magnoliophyta): inflorescence, fruit; dicots (Magnoliopsida) and monocots (Liliopsida).
Several medicinal tracheophytes of different phytogeographical origin are presented as examples taking into consideration taxonomical setting, proper nomenclature, morphology, geographical distribution, characteristics of drug, main active phytocompounds and some information concerning pharmacological use and other uses.
Concepts of flora, distribution area, floristic element, floristic region. Native and alien plant species. Threatened plant species.
Course Language
Italian
More information
The final mark is the mean of the scores of the two written test concerning the two parts of the course held during the course or alternatively is the mark obtained in the oral examinations.
Degrees
Degrees
PHARMACY
Single-cycle Master’s Degree
5 years
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