Plant-Environment Interactions
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with basic notions to understand the strategies developed by plants to interact and respond to the surrounding environment, including biotic or abiotic stress conditions, and how this interaction can influence the overall plant development. Different types of interactions will be analyzed at various levels, including molecular, biochemical and phenotypical. Plant responses and adaptations to the presence of a sudden, or a continuous, stress will be also studied.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should be able to:
1. Illustrate the main types of plant-environment interactions in response to biotic and abiotic stresses and the resulting plant response strategies.
2. Define the different ways of plants molecular communication with beneficial (symbiosis) or pathogenic organisms (focus on recognition and defense mechanisms).
3. Analyze at various levels (biomolecular, biochemical, phenotypical) the multiple effects of biotic or abiotic factors influencing plant development.
Apply the acquired knowledge, concerning the strategies adopted by plants to interact and respond to the surrounding environment, to resolve potential environmental problems (recovery of polluted soil, benefits of particular types of symbiosis, etc.)
1. Illustrate the main types of plant-environment interactions in response to biotic and abiotic stresses and the resulting plant response strategies.
2. Define the different ways of plants molecular communication with beneficial (symbiosis) or pathogenic organisms (focus on recognition and defense mechanisms).
3. Analyze at various levels (biomolecular, biochemical, phenotypical) the multiple effects of biotic or abiotic factors influencing plant development.
Apply the acquired knowledge, concerning the strategies adopted by plants to interact and respond to the surrounding environment, to resolve potential environmental problems (recovery of polluted soil, benefits of particular types of symbiosis, etc.)
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
Molecular mechanisms and morpho-anatomical responses triggered by biotic and abiotic stresses in the following interactions:
- Plants and pathogens (fungi, viruses and bacteria): molecular mechanisms of recognition, defense and infection.
- Plants and parasitic plants: communication, invasion and exchange of signal molecules.
- Plants and drought stress, cold/heat stress, organic/inorganic pollutant stress, salt stress: changes in plant developmental programs.
- Plants and pathogens (fungi, viruses and bacteria): molecular mechanisms of recognition, defense and infection.
- Plants and parasitic plants: communication, invasion and exchange of signal molecules.
- Plants and drought stress, cold/heat stress, organic/inorganic pollutant stress, salt stress: changes in plant developmental programs.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of basic plant biology and molecular biology.
Teaching methods
Method: Lectures will be supported by slides and videos projected and commented by the lecturer on course topics. It is recommended to take part to the lectures. Classroom discussions about specific topics will be also organized. All materials will be available on Ariel together with the most recent literature.
Teaching Resources
Slides and videos from the lessons (available in Ariel)
Scientific papers and reviews on specific topics (available in Ariel)
Scientific papers and reviews on specific topics (available in Ariel)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The knowledge of the students related to the topics discussed during the course will be assessed in a written exam, as well as their ability to understand and present a specialized scientific paper in a workshop at the end of the course.
BIO/01 - GENERAL BOTANY - University credits: 6
Lectures: 48 hours