Fundamental Biology and Botanics for Agriculture
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Develop the basic biological preparation suitable for a full understanding of the educational contents of the subsequent teachings. Introduction to the knowledge of the fundamental characteristics of living organisms (prokaryotes and eukaryotes). Knowledge of the basic elements of cell histology cytology and the classification of living beings. Mitosis and Meiosis. Knowledge of the morpho-functional aspects of the main animal types, in particular those of agricultural interest.
Knowledge of the organization of plants, the peculiarities of plant cells, the characteristics that distinguish the different types of tissues, their organization in forming the organs of the plant. Understanding the different reproductive cycles of the main divisions of terrestrial plants and the evolutionary stages. Provide the basic cultural and cognitive tools sufficient for the classification of large plant groups, their chronological succession and the evolutionary relationships between them, with particular attention to some families of Spermatophytes important from the agricultural and forestry point of view.
Knowledge of the organization of plants, the peculiarities of plant cells, the characteristics that distinguish the different types of tissues, their organization in forming the organs of the plant. Understanding the different reproductive cycles of the main divisions of terrestrial plants and the evolutionary stages. Provide the basic cultural and cognitive tools sufficient for the classification of large plant groups, their chronological succession and the evolutionary relationships between them, with particular attention to some families of Spermatophytes important from the agricultural and forestry point of view.
Expected learning outcomes
Capability to recognize and analyze the composition and biological functions of cells and cell division processes. Understanding the morpho-functional aspects and the classification criteria of the main animal types, with particular reference to the types of main agricultural interest. Knowledge of the fundamental principles of plant biology with particular reference to the structure, evolution and reproduction of plant species. Know the diversity of the morphological and functional characters of plants. Knowing how to recognize and describe the main families of agricultural and forestry interest.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
Botany
Introduction to plant and their use in Agriculture
Organic molecules
The cell and cellular riproduction
Tissue and their organitiation in the root, stem and leaves
Growth and reproduction
Sistematic botany:
Plant evolution
Plant live cycle and its evolution
Bryophytes
Seed less vascular plant
Gymnosperm
Angyosperm plants will be addressed in greater depth, approaching the study of the reproductive organs, strategies and criteria used for their classification. Some families of vascular plant that are important from the point of view of agriculture and forestry, will be dealt with in depth.
Animal Biology:
Information will be provided on the main types of animals with reference to agricultural interests, such as Nematodes, Annelids, Mollusks, Arthropods and Vertebrate Chordates, but also on minor types to provide a complete view of the Animal Kingdom, with particular attention to ecology and sustainability. The course will cover the development of animal organisms and their phylogeny, with topics such as thermal, water and population homeostasis, fertilization, embryonic development, organogenesis, and the description of anatomical and functional systems and apparatuses, such as the nervous system (CNS, PNS), the immune system and the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and excretory apparatuses. The lessons will be conducted in-person following a reference text, but additional teaching materials will be shared on ONEdrive and ARIEL. The evaluation will be based on a written exam with open questions, offering students the opportunity to describe and draw animal systems or models of development and relationships between animals and the environment.
Introduction to plant and their use in Agriculture
Organic molecules
The cell and cellular riproduction
Tissue and their organitiation in the root, stem and leaves
Growth and reproduction
Sistematic botany:
Plant evolution
Plant live cycle and its evolution
Bryophytes
Seed less vascular plant
Gymnosperm
Angyosperm plants will be addressed in greater depth, approaching the study of the reproductive organs, strategies and criteria used for their classification. Some families of vascular plant that are important from the point of view of agriculture and forestry, will be dealt with in depth.
Animal Biology:
Information will be provided on the main types of animals with reference to agricultural interests, such as Nematodes, Annelids, Mollusks, Arthropods and Vertebrate Chordates, but also on minor types to provide a complete view of the Animal Kingdom, with particular attention to ecology and sustainability. The course will cover the development of animal organisms and their phylogeny, with topics such as thermal, water and population homeostasis, fertilization, embryonic development, organogenesis, and the description of anatomical and functional systems and apparatuses, such as the nervous system (CNS, PNS), the immune system and the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and excretory apparatuses. The lessons will be conducted in-person following a reference text, but additional teaching materials will be shared on ONEdrive and ARIEL. The evaluation will be based on a written exam with open questions, offering students the opportunity to describe and draw animal systems or models of development and relationships between animals and the environment.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
The lessons will be in-person, based on a specific textbook, and supplementary materials will be available on ARIEL.
Botany:
7,5 CFULectures
0,5 CFU Outdoor
Animal Biology:
3 CFU Lctures
1 CFU Outdorr
Botany:
7,5 CFULectures
0,5 CFU Outdoor
Animal Biology:
3 CFU Lctures
1 CFU Outdorr
Teaching Resources
Biology of Plants:
Books:
-Pasqua Abate Forni- Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale - Ed.Piccin;
-Raven-Biologia delle piante di Raven - Ed. Zanichelli
-Smith, Coupland, Dolan, Harberd, Jones, Martin, Sablowski, Amey - Biologia delle Piante vol. 1 e vol.2 - Ed. Zanichelli
Other botany books
Animal Biology
Biologia. E. P. Solomon, C. E. Martin, D. W. Martin, L. R. Berg. EDISES
Eserciziario di Biologia Animale Audisio, De Biase, Nicoletti, Scarì EDISES
FONDAMENTI di BIOLOGIA E. P. Solomon, C. E. Martin, D. W. Martin, L. R. Berg. EDISES
and scientific papers shared on ONEdrive.
Books:
-Pasqua Abate Forni- Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale - Ed.Piccin;
-Raven-Biologia delle piante di Raven - Ed. Zanichelli
-Smith, Coupland, Dolan, Harberd, Jones, Martin, Sablowski, Amey - Biologia delle Piante vol. 1 e vol.2 - Ed. Zanichelli
Other botany books
Animal Biology
Biologia. E. P. Solomon, C. E. Martin, D. W. Martin, L. R. Berg. EDISES
Eserciziario di Biologia Animale Audisio, De Biase, Nicoletti, Scarì EDISES
FONDAMENTI di BIOLOGIA E. P. Solomon, C. E. Martin, D. W. Martin, L. R. Berg. EDISES
and scientific papers shared on ONEdrive.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Plant biology
Exam format: written.
Optional ongoing tests (for class attendees only)::
4 tests covering:
1) cellular biology; 2) plant tissues, organization, reproduction 3); plant evolution and their life cycles; 4) recognition of spermatophytes and their characteristics
Each test has test 8 questions of which
7 multiple choice (1 point each 4 options 1 correct answer)
1 image recognition and description (3 points possible)
Passing score per test: 6 out of 11 points
All ongoing tests must be passed.
Session
The session will be written and will focus on the entire program.
Covers entire plant biology program
32 questions:
28 multiple choice (1 point each, 4 options, 1 correct answer)
4 image recognition and description (2 points each)
Animal biology
The evaluation criterion is based on the verification of the knowledge acquired through a written exam which includes both open questions, offering students the opportunity to describe and draw the systems or models of animal development and the relationships between animals and the environment
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Exam format: written.
Optional ongoing tests (for class attendees only)::
4 tests covering:
1) cellular biology; 2) plant tissues, organization, reproduction 3); plant evolution and their life cycles; 4) recognition of spermatophytes and their characteristics
Each test has test 8 questions of which
7 multiple choice (1 point each 4 options 1 correct answer)
1 image recognition and description (3 points possible)
Passing score per test: 6 out of 11 points
All ongoing tests must be passed.
Session
The session will be written and will focus on the entire program.
Covers entire plant biology program
32 questions:
28 multiple choice (1 point each, 4 options, 1 correct answer)
4 image recognition and description (2 points each)
Animal biology
The evaluation criterion is based on the verification of the knowledge acquired through a written exam which includes both open questions, offering students the opportunity to describe and draw the systems or models of animal development and the relationships between animals and the environment
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
BIO/01 - GENERAL BOTANY - University credits: 8
BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 4
BIO/04 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 4
Laboratories: 24 hours
Lessons: 84 hours
Lessons: 84 hours
Shifts:
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon request
Office, Building 21070 Via Celoria 2 Milano