Learning outcomes
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.
Course 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; some families of Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons. Fungi: general characteristics, systematic and reproduction, ecological role of fungi, symbiotic interactions fungi-algae, fungi-plants, fungi-animals, generalities of applied mycology. The course includes a few hours of practical exercises
Reccomended or required readings
1) Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C., 2011
Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale. Piccin editore
2) Lecture notes provided by the teacher
Università di Pavia - Offerta formativa