Evolution and Adaptations of Plants to the Environment
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing the students with basic knowledge to understand the evolutionary acquisitions of land plants and how the development of plants occurs, starting from fertilization and formation of an embryo to post-embryonic development, vegetative (roots, leaves) and reproductive (inflorescences and flowers) structures. The course will explore the genetic and molecular basis, through analysis of phylogenetic trees, of the processes of acquiring cell and organ identity and will be based on examples from model species. Diversity and homologies in the developmental processes of land plants will be explored, in the context of the evolution of various forms and adaptations.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, the student will have acquired fundamental notions governing plant development from Bryophytes to vascular plants and the most important genetic/molecular mechanisms that have been behind the differentiation of major organs or tissues. The student will also be able to discuss this knowledge in an evolutionary context and to point out the differences between developmental processes and evolutionary novelties acquired by land plants.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
General introduction: plant development and differences from animal development, morphogens and positional information. Genetic and molecular tools useful in the study of plant developmental processes. Model systems. Evolutionary acquisitions of land plants. Embryonic development.
Evolution, development and maintenance of the shoot apical meristem.
Evolution and development of the leaf: positioning of vegetative organs, determination of leaf shape and polarity.
Transition to the reproductive stage. Environmental factors controlling flowering, particularly photoperiod. Evolution of responses to the environment in different species.
Development of the root and root meristem. Evolutionary origin of the root.
Development of the flower and flower organs. Flower evolution from ancestral forms and molecular mechanisms involved. Seed and germination.
Human intervention in developmental processes: domestication from a molecular perspective and domestication genes.
Evolution, development and maintenance of the shoot apical meristem.
Evolution and development of the leaf: positioning of vegetative organs, determination of leaf shape and polarity.
Transition to the reproductive stage. Environmental factors controlling flowering, particularly photoperiod. Evolution of responses to the environment in different species.
Development of the root and root meristem. Evolutionary origin of the root.
Development of the flower and flower organs. Flower evolution from ancestral forms and molecular mechanisms involved. Seed and germination.
Human intervention in developmental processes: domestication from a molecular perspective and domestication genes.
Prerequisites for admission
A good background knowledge in plant biology and genetics is necessary
Teaching methods
Lectures will be supported by slides and videos projected and commented by the lecturer on course topics and will be available on Ariel. Classroom discussion of scientific papers or reviews will be organized. All materials will be available on Ariel.
Teaching Resources
Powerpoint files of lectures (made available in Ariel)
Scientific papers and reviews on each specific topic (made available in Ariel)
Scientific papers and reviews on each specific topic (made available in Ariel)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will be written. The student will be expected to respond articulately to three questions related to the syllabus given, reworking the basic concepts explained during the lectures. The questions will be open-ended. A workshop will also be organized shortly before the end of the course, where students will have to orally present a scientific paper chosen from a shortlist of papers proposed by the lecturers.
BIO/01 - GENERAL BOTANY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Betti Camilla, Miranda Mendes Marta Adelina
Professor(s)
Reception:
e-mail appointment
3C