PLANT BIODIVERSITY
FABIO RINDI
Seat Scienze
A.A. 2012/2013
Credits 7
Hours 63
Period 2^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code ST03 3S602
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of general biology and cell biology. Although the course is taught in Italian, knowledge of English at least at basic level is recommended.
Learning outcomes
the aim of the course is to provide an overview of the diversity of plants, algae and fungi. The characteristics of each group will be described in detail, with emphasis on evolutionary aspects, life histories, significance from an applied point of view and use for environmental monitoring. The phylogenetic relationships among phyla will be outlined. For the land plants, special attention will be devoted to the functional meaning of plant structures and adaptations to the terrestrial environments.
Program
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General characteristics of plants and algae. Structure of plant cell.
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Principles of classification and systematics; classification systems, characters and types of information used in taxonomic analysis; molecular data; DNA barcoding; genomes and genomics.
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Photosynthetic prokaryotes: the cyanobacteria (phylum Cyanophyta).
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Endosymbiosis, evolution of plastids and origin of photosynthetic eukaryotes.
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General features of algae (thallus organization, cell structures specific to algae, reproduction, life histories).
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The main groups of eukaryotic algae: Glaucophyta, Rhodophyta, Heterokontophyta, Dinophyta, Cryptophyta, Haptophyta.
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Green algae: Chlorophyta and Streptophyta; diversity and relationships with land plants.
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Use of algae as environmental indicators.
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Land plants: origin and evolution, general concepts; the Bryophytes (Bryopsida, Hepaticopsida, Anthoceropsida).
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Vascular plants without seeds: origin and general features; the Pteridophytes (Arthrophyta, Licophyta, Psilotophyta, Pterophyta).
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The tissues of the vascular plants.
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Structure of the root.
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Structure of the stem.
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Structure of the leaf.
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Gymnosperms: characteristics, origin of the seed, functional adaptations; Coniferophyta, Cycadophyta, Gingkophyta, Gnetophyta.
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Angiosperms: origins, differences between monocots and dicots, functional adaptations.
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Structure of the flower and the fruit.
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Characteristics of the most important families of angiosperms of the Italian flora (Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Fagaceae, Lamiaceae, Orchidaceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae).
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Mangroves and seagrasses; the meadows of Posidonia oceanica and their importance as environmental indicators.
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Fungi: general features (thallus, vegetative and reproductive structures, nutrition, metabolism and physiology); main phyla: Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota.
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Herbaria and botanical gardens.
Recommended reading
Text recommended:
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Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C. Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libreria.
Other useful texts:
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Judd W.S., Campbell C.S., Kellogg E.A., Stevens P.F., Donoghue M.J. 2007. Botanica sistematica: un approccio filogenetico. Piccin Nuova Libreria.
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Smith A.M., Coupland G., Dolan L., Harberd N., Jones J., Martin C., Sablowski R., Amey A. 2010. Plant Biology. Garland Science.
Useful online resources:
Portal of botany Wikipedia (Italian): http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portale:Botanica
Atlas of botany of the University of Turin: http://www.atlantebotanica.unito.it/page.asp
Photographic atlas of plant anatomy, University of Wisconsin: http://botweb.uwsp.edu/Anatomy/
Acta Plantarum - flora of the regions of Italy: http://www.actaplantarum.org/
AlgaeBase: http://www.algaebase.org/
Courses
- Scienze del controllo ambientale e della protezione civile