Biology of Plants

Code:

B121

Acronym:

B121

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2014/2015 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:AP	30	Planos de estudos a partir 2009	1	-	7,5	-
L:AST	0	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:F	2	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:G	22	P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula anterior a 09/10	1	-	7,5	-
			3
		P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula em 09/10	1	-	7,5	-
			3
L:M	1	Plano de estudos a partir de 2009	3	-	7,5	-
L:Q	17	Plano de estudos Oficial	3	-	7,5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The main objective of this course is to provide students with an overview of the diversity and evolution of: fungi, protists and plants. For plants it includes consideration of alternation of generations as general plant life cycle, the study of the morphology of selected families, vegetative and reproductive structures, internal anatomy features, an introductory consideration of plant physiology including water relations and internal transport, and classifycation of major plant groups with respect to their phylogenetic relationships.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the course students should be able to:

Describe and distinguish the variety of possible life cycles and diagram a generalised life cycle for animals, plants, algae and fungi.

Describe the distinguishing features of the major plant phyla and their evolutionary relationships.

Show how the evolution of plants is associated with the morphological and physiological adaptations required for a terrestrial life.

Explain how reproduction and embryo development occurs in gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Distinguish between primary and secondary growth in plants and explain how both occur.

Explain the mechanisms of xylem and phloem sap movement in plants.

To use keys to study the morphology and identify selected seed plant families.

Recognize the morphological diversity of selected organisms in the laboratory and in the field.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

.

Program

BIODIVERSITY Sistematics, taxonomy and nomenclature. Classification and phylogeny. Plants general characteristics. Bryophytes, Hepatophyta, Antocerophyta, and Bryophyta. Comparative structures and reproduction. Evolution of vascular plants, Pteridophyte general characteristics and reproduction. Psilotophyta, Lycophyta, Sphenophyta e Pterophyta. Evolution of the seed and Progymnosperms. Gymnosperms, general characteristics and reproduction. Ginkgophyta, Cycadophyta, Coniferophyta and Gnetophyta. Diversity in the phylum Anthophyta, morphology, the flower, reproduction and evolution. Pollination, fertilization and fruit set. Monocotyledon, Magnolidae, Paleoherbs and Eudicotyledon. Study of some of the most important families of these groups.
PLANT ANATOMY Fundamental characteristics of the plant cell. Cell wall structure and biosynthesis. Ground tissues, stomata and trichomes. Dermal tissues and vascular tissues, primary and secondary phloem and xylem. PHYSIOLOGY Movement of substances into and out of cells. Movement of water and solutes in plants.

Fungi; characteristics of the groups Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.
Protista, Algae, general characteristics of the group. Euglenophyta, Rodophyta, Dinophyta, Bacillariophyta and Phaeophyta. Chlorophyta, green algae, classes Chlorophyceae, Ulvophyceae and Charophyceae. Examples, reproduction and life cycles. Economical importance of algae. Plastids and evolution of algae. Transition from Charophyceae to vascular plants.

Mandatory literature

Raven PH, Evert RF, Eichorn SE; Biology of Plants, WH Freeman & Co, New York, 2012. ISBN: 978-1429219617

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes and practical classes in the lab and in the Botanical garden.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Teste	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	40,00
Frequência das aulas	40,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Students need to attend theoretical and practical classes. Pratical classes are mandatory, being required to develop lab work and sign their presence.

Calculation formula of final grade

- Assessment 1 (1st part, by the end of October), Theoretical subjects (T 1) 10 points, practical laboratory work (TP 1) 10 points;
- Assessment 2 (2nd part, 16.01.2015), Theoretical subjects (T 2) 10 points, Practical laboratory work (TP 2) 10 points.

FINAL GRADING = [(T 1 + T 2) + (TP 1 + TP2)] /2

Minimum value in each component (T or TP), 8 points.

Examinations or Special Assignments

.

Internship work/project

.

Classification improvement

Theoretical

Written Exam covering Theoretical subjects (T), 20 points;

Practical Laboratory Work

Written Exam covering Lab works (TP), 20 points;

FINAL GRADING = (T+TP)/2

Minimum value in each component, 8 points

Observations

.