Plant Biology

Code:

BIOL1003

Acronym:

BIOL1003

Level:

100

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:CC	1	study plan from 2021/22	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:CTA	45	Plano estudos a partir do ano letivo 2016/17	2	-	6	48	162
L:F	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:G	10	study plan from 2017/18	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:M	1	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:Q	3	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The main objective of this course is to provide students with an overview of the diversity and evolution of plants. Study of plants 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 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; Classification of plants and hierarchy of taxonomic categories. Transition between Charophyceae algae and vascular plants, evolution. Non-vascular plants Bryophytes, general characteristics. Vascular plants, evolution. Pteridophytes, Gymnos and Angiosperms. External morphology: vegetative and reproductive structures. Reproduction. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANTS. Meristems, tissue systems. Cell wall, tissue systems; fundamental: Parenchyma, Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma; functions and types of cells. Epidermis specialized epidermal cells; stomas and trichomes; origin, functions and morphological categories. Vascular system. Xylem; general characteristics and types of cells. Ontogeny of conducting cells and wall types, vascular cambium. Secondary xylem, axial and longitudinal systems. Growth rings. Wood from dicotyledons and wood from conifers. Phloem, general characteristics and cell types. Periderm. Water movement, water transport mechanism, root entry and xylem translocation. Transport of products resulting from photosynthesis in the phloem.

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 without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	85,00
Participação presencial	15,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	114,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	162,00

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.
Theoretical classes with mandatory mini-test assessments. The best 7 out of 10 mini tests carried out will be chosen, in order to allow students to miss classes if necessary.

Absences are allowed to a maximum of 25% of their possible practical classes. That is, if students attend less than 75% of their possible classes they are excluded from final assessment.

Calculation formula of final grade

General Evaluation consisting of two written Assessments plus the mini tests.

-Assessment I, on a date to be defined in the middle of the Semester, covering Theoretical (T1) and Practical (P1) components;

- Assessment II, on a date to be defined by the Pedagogical Council in the normal period of examinations, covering Theoretical (T2) and Practical (P2) components.

• • T1 = 10,5 valores
  • P1 = 6,5 valores
  • T2 = 10,5 valores
  • P2 = 6,5 valores
  • Final score = ((T1+P1)+(T2+P2))/2 + Mini tests

 Second Evaluation period. Final written exam covering Theoretical (T) and Practical (P) components, without mini tests

• T = 12 values
• P = 8 values

• Final Classification = T+P

 

 For assessment, mini tests can be carried out throughout the semester, 3 values of the final grade, with the theoretical and practical part being worth 17 values together (10.5 and 6.5 respectively).

Examinations or Special Assignments

.

Internship work/project

.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with special status (such as student workers) may choose to do the evaluation by frequencies or by final examination.

Classification improvement

Written exam covering Theoretical subjects (T), 20 points, and Practical laboratory work (P) for 20 points.

Observations

.