Learning objectives
To provide the bases of plant biology<br />
Course unit content
<br />The bases of life, structure of the eukaryotic cell: description of organelles (nucleus, mitochondrion, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum). Mitosis and meiosis. Structure of the main biological molecules: proteins, lipids, sugars, polysaccharides. Genetic information: DNA structure, chromosomes, protein synthesis. Genetic code. Mendel laws. Elements of thermodynamics: free energy. ATP as reserve energy for organic reactions. Energy production in the cell:glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation. Plant biology. Hystology and anatomy of plants. Characteristics of the plant cell: cell wall, vacuole, plastids. Classification and description of plant tissues: root, stem, leaf. Secondary growth in trees. Biochemistry and plant physiology: light phase of photosynthesis in Calvin cycle, Modifications of photosynthesis in C4 and CAM plants. Transport of sugars in the phloem: theory of mass flow. Mineral nutrition: macronutrients and micronutrients. Nitrogen assimilation. Cycles of elements. Water transport and mineral salts in the xylem: theory of tension, cohesion, adhesion. Regulation of stomata closure and opening. Plant hormones: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscissic acid, ethylene. Flowering and tropisms. Plant taxonomy. Protista. Fungi: Bryophytes. Vascular plants. Gymnosperms, Angiosperms.
Bibliography
Peter Raven, Ray Evert, Susan Eichorn - Biologia delle Piante - Ed. Zanichelli<br />Eldra P. Solomon, Linda R. Berg, Diana W. Martin – Biologia -EdiSES<br />Bruce Alberts, Dennis Bray, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, james Watson - Biologia molecolare della cellula - Ed. Zanichelli<br />Geoffrey Cooper - La cellula- Ed. Zanichelli <br />Francisco Ayala, John Kiger - Genetica Moderna- Ed. Zanichelli
