ELEMENTS OF BOTANY: Differences between plants and animals; autotrophy and heterotrophy; the origin of plant diversity; the importance of the Botany as applicative science; plant cell organization; plant cell growth and differentiation; plant histology: primary and secondary meristems, tegumental, parenchyma, mechanical, transport and secretory tissues; plant organs: structure, morphology and function of roots, stem and leaves; vital processes in plants: basic elements of photosynthesis, respiration, water and nutrient uptake and transport; plant reproduction: vegetative and sexual reproduction; reproduction of the Angiosperms; flower elements; inflorescences; pollination; embryo development; seed germination mechanisms; fruit development and dispersion.

ELEMENTS OF PLANT DIVERSITY: Concept of species and speciation; classification methods; elements of systematics and taxonomy; the evolutionary path of plants from water to land: Cyanobacteria, Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms; characters of the main Angiosperm families and Gymnosperms of the Italian flora.

ELEMENTS OF PLANT ECOLOGY: Ecological factors affecting the plant distribution; areal, chorotypes, biological forms; concept of flora, vegetation and landscape; biomes; exotic species; plant-environment interaction and related plant adaptation strategies.

Pasqua G., Abbate G. & Forni C. -Botanica generale e Diversità vegetale - Piccin
Marchi P., Pepe D'Amato E., Bianchi G. - Famiglie di Piante Vascolari Italiane (3 voll.)
Calzoni, Speranza: Struttura delle piante in immagini. Guida all'anatomia microscopica delle piante vascolari, Zanichelli

Teaching material (handouts), scientific and information provided by the teacher