Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the student with the basics for understanding the organization and functioning of plant organisms, as well as primary and secondary metabolism. By the end of the course, the student is expected to be able to present the content using the specific language of the discipline.
Prerequisites
There are not prerequisites. However, the following exams are highly recommended: Human anatomy, Animal biology, General Chemistry.
Course unit content
The plant cell; Plant histology; Plant organography; Primary and secondary metabolites; Photosynthesis; Plant reproduction; Basics of plant physiology; Fundamentals of plant systematics
Full programme
Basic elements of plant biology: heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms, peculiarities of the plant kingdom. The plant cell: structure and focus on characteristic elements: cell wall (structure, functions, development, modifications), vacuole (structure, functions), plastids (differentiation, structures, functions). Plant histology. Primary and secondary meristems, adult tissues: parenchymatic, tegumentary, mechanical, conductive; secretion structures. Thallophytes and cormophytes. Functions, development, and anatomy of the root and stem in primary and secondary structure; branching; functions, development, and anatomy of the leaf; stomata and gas exchange; notes on phyllotaxis. Specializations of plant organs. Photosynthesis: light phase and dark phase; transport of raw and processed sap. Histological and morphological differences between gymnosperms and angiosperms. Sexual and vegetative reproduction: fundamentals. Organography of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Basics of recognizing tissues and organs of pharmacognostic importance. Biosynthesis of primary metabolites, functions, and accumulation. Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites: mevalonate, shikimate, and acetate pathways; synthesis of alkaloids. Ecological role of secondary metabolites and introduction to phytochemistry for studying the active principles of medicinal plants. Plant hormones: an overview. Notes on plant systematics: methods and nomenclature. Notes on medicinal fungi. Notes on plant cultures for the production of active principles. Notes on bee products derived from plants: honey and propolis.
Bibliography
Poli et al., Biologia farmaceutica. Biologia vegetale, botanica farmaceutica, fitochimica - Con MyLab + eText - Ed. Pearson, 2019.
Teaching methods
Teaching will be conducted through lectures in the classroom. The slides used to support the lessons, considered an integral part of the teaching material, will be uploaded weekly on the Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
The verification of learning skills will be carried out through an oral exam. The students' ability to understand all the course content will be evaluated. Particular attention will be given to the necessary logical reasoning processes among the various parts of the program. Additionally, the ability to communicate the topics on a scientific basis will be assessed.
The oral exam must be taken simultaneously with the Pharmacognosy module (they constitute a single exam; both modules must be passed to pass the exam).
Grading scale: 0-30
Weights and evaluation criteria:
Acquired knowledge (up to 15/30);
Ability to apply the acquired knowledge and to make connections between the topics covered (up to 10/30);
Expository ability through the use of the specific language of the discipline (up to 5/30).
Other information
OFFICE HOURS
Wednesday from 12:00 to 13:00 or by appointment via email.
email:
marco.biagi@unipr.it
