Plant Biology and Entomology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
A first objective of the course is to provide information on biological macromolecules and on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
A further aim is to provide basic knowledge of the biology of insects and fungi, especially with regard to their structure, the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on their biology, self-preservation and reproduction strategies, and their relationships with other organisms.
Relating the study of insects, the aim is to provide the knowledge to assess symptoms, damage caused by the different species, monitoring techniques and control strategies with particular attention to environmentally friendly ones. In addition, information will be provided on laboratory methods useful for the study and identification of these organisms as well as for assessing their presence in the environments.
A further aim is to provide basic knowledge of the biology of insects and fungi, especially with regard to their structure, the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on their biology, self-preservation and reproduction strategies, and their relationships with other organisms.
Relating the study of insects, the aim is to provide the knowledge to assess symptoms, damage caused by the different species, monitoring techniques and control strategies with particular attention to environmentally friendly ones. In addition, information will be provided on laboratory methods useful for the study and identification of these organisms as well as for assessing their presence in the environments.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- Know the structure and functions of biological macromolecules
- Know prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- Identify damage caused by insects to cultural heritage.
- Identify insect species that can cause damage to cultural heritage.
- Assess insect presence in the different environments considered and interpret the influence of environmental variations on the insect populations considered.
- Propose management methods for the containment of damaging insects in cultural heritage.
- Know the structure and functions of biological macromolecules
- Know prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- Identify damage caused by insects to cultural heritage.
- Identify insect species that can cause damage to cultural heritage.
- Assess insect presence in the different environments considered and interpret the influence of environmental variations on the insect populations considered.
- Propose management methods for the containment of damaging insects in cultural heritage.
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
General biology (Proff. Francesca Cappitelli and Andrea Kunova)
The following topics will be covered:
covalent and non-covalent bonds,
biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins (with particular attention to enzymes) and nucleic acids,
the central dogma of biology,
phylogenetic relationships,
the prokaryotic cell and its differences with the eukaryotic cell,
the energy metabolisms of cells: aerobic and anaerobic respiration, fermentation, oxygenic photosynthesis,
Fungi - characteristics,
fungal cell (eukaryotic cell) - cell wall, plasma membrane, cytoplasm and organels,
differences among different types of eukaryotic cells (fungal, animal, plant),
nucleus, chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis,
fungal life cycle, sexual and asexual reproduction, spores,
factors influencing fungal growth,
classification of fungi
Entomology (Prof.ssa Costanza Jucker)
The Arthropod Phylum and the Insect Class. External insect morphology, exoskeleton. Head and appendices. Mouthpieces. Thorax and abdomen. Circulatory system. Muscle system. Digestive system. Respiratory system. Excretory system. Nervous system. Reproduction. Exocrine and Endocrine glands. Excretory system. Postembryonal development. Monitoring and inspection techniques. Strategies of insect control.
Insects infesting wood and paper. Insect damaging tissues and hides. Insects damaging the walls and external walls. Rodents and Birds.
The following topics will be covered:
covalent and non-covalent bonds,
biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins (with particular attention to enzymes) and nucleic acids,
the central dogma of biology,
phylogenetic relationships,
the prokaryotic cell and its differences with the eukaryotic cell,
the energy metabolisms of cells: aerobic and anaerobic respiration, fermentation, oxygenic photosynthesis,
Fungi - characteristics,
fungal cell (eukaryotic cell) - cell wall, plasma membrane, cytoplasm and organels,
differences among different types of eukaryotic cells (fungal, animal, plant),
nucleus, chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis,
fungal life cycle, sexual and asexual reproduction, spores,
factors influencing fungal growth,
classification of fungi
Entomology (Prof.ssa Costanza Jucker)
The Arthropod Phylum and the Insect Class. External insect morphology, exoskeleton. Head and appendices. Mouthpieces. Thorax and abdomen. Circulatory system. Muscle system. Digestive system. Respiratory system. Excretory system. Nervous system. Reproduction. Exocrine and Endocrine glands. Excretory system. Postembryonal development. Monitoring and inspection techniques. Strategies of insect control.
Insects infesting wood and paper. Insect damaging tissues and hides. Insects damaging the walls and external walls. Rodents and Birds.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge requirement.
Teaching methods
Teaching is organised in the form of lectures.
Teaching Resources
For General Biology, the slides presented during lectures will be posted as PDF files on the myAriel website. Additionally, the student can also consult:
- Pratt C W, Voet D, Voet J G, Fondamenti di biochimica 2017, e D L Nelson, M M Cox, I principi di biochimica di Lehninger, Ottava Edizione 2022, entrambi disponibili in Biblioteche UNIMI.
- M. Madigan, C. Stahl, Brock Biologia dei microrganismi. Vol. 1 e Vol. 2
The following materials are recommended for the study of entomological topics
1) Chiappini E., Liotta G., Reguzzi M.C., Battisti A., 2001 - Insetti e restauro. Legno, carta, tessuti, pellame e altri materiali. Calderini Edagricole: 1-253.
2) Slides presented during lectures and additional documents available on the myAriel website of the course.
- Pratt C W, Voet D, Voet J G, Fondamenti di biochimica 2017, e D L Nelson, M M Cox, I principi di biochimica di Lehninger, Ottava Edizione 2022, entrambi disponibili in Biblioteche UNIMI.
- M. Madigan, C. Stahl, Brock Biologia dei microrganismi. Vol. 1 e Vol. 2
The following materials are recommended for the study of entomological topics
1) Chiappini E., Liotta G., Reguzzi M.C., Battisti A., 2001 - Insetti e restauro. Legno, carta, tessuti, pellame e altri materiali. Calderini Edagricole: 1-253.
2) Slides presented during lectures and additional documents available on the myAriel website of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam for verifying the acquired knowledge consists of a written test covering the general biology and entomology program. For each of these two parts, the written tests will be as follows:
- for the biology part, there will be a written exam with multiple-choice questions.
- for the entomology part, there will be a written assessment that includes multiple-choice questions and structured open questions.
Midterm Exam
Date: mid-November.
Content: only the general biology part (4 ECTS).
Duration: 30 minutes.
Eligibility: current year's students.
Outcome: if this midterm assessment is passed, the entomology part (5 ECTS) must be taken by the end of February 2025. This part will last 45 minutes.
Final Exam
Content: entire exam (9 ECTS).
Duration: 75 minutes total.
Scheduling: exams will be scheduled throughout the year according to the academic regulations.
Passing Criteria
Requirement: a passing grade is required in both assessments (general biology and entomology).
Evaluation: each test is graded out of thirty. The final grade will be the arithmetic average of the two scores.
Communication of assessment results
Midterm Exam: results will be posted on the myAriel course site.
Final Exam: results will be automatically sent to the student, who must then accept or reject the final grade.
Students with Learning Disabilities (DSA) and Disabilities
Notification: For exam arrangements, you must inform the UniMI Disability Office (https://www.unimi.it/it/ugov/ou-structure/cosp-ufficio-servizi-studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa).
Students with DSA and with disabilities are invited to contact the professors by email at least 15 days before the scheduled examination date in order to agree on any individualised measures, as compensatory tools and dispensatory measure. In the email addressed to the lecturer it is necessary to put in CC the respective University Services: [email protected] (for students with DSA) and [email protected] (for students with disabilities)".
- for the biology part, there will be a written exam with multiple-choice questions.
- for the entomology part, there will be a written assessment that includes multiple-choice questions and structured open questions.
Midterm Exam
Date: mid-November.
Content: only the general biology part (4 ECTS).
Duration: 30 minutes.
Eligibility: current year's students.
Outcome: if this midterm assessment is passed, the entomology part (5 ECTS) must be taken by the end of February 2025. This part will last 45 minutes.
Final Exam
Content: entire exam (9 ECTS).
Duration: 75 minutes total.
Scheduling: exams will be scheduled throughout the year according to the academic regulations.
Passing Criteria
Requirement: a passing grade is required in both assessments (general biology and entomology).
Evaluation: each test is graded out of thirty. The final grade will be the arithmetic average of the two scores.
Communication of assessment results
Midterm Exam: results will be posted on the myAriel course site.
Final Exam: results will be automatically sent to the student, who must then accept or reject the final grade.
Students with Learning Disabilities (DSA) and Disabilities
Notification: For exam arrangements, you must inform the UniMI Disability Office (https://www.unimi.it/it/ugov/ou-structure/cosp-ufficio-servizi-studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa).
Students with DSA and with disabilities are invited to contact the professors by email at least 15 days before the scheduled examination date in order to agree on any individualised measures, as compensatory tools and dispensatory measure. In the email addressed to the lecturer it is necessary to put in CC the respective University Services: [email protected] (for students with DSA) and [email protected] (for students with disabilities)".
AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY - University credits: 5
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 2
AGR/16 - AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 2
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 2
AGR/16 - AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 72 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Mondays 14:00-15:00 (by email appointment)
Room 3019, 3rd floor, Via Mangiagalli 25
Reception:
Appointment
Room R056, building A21030, Via Celoria 2