The course is structured into three main sections: the first focuses on the basic aspects of plant biology, the second on plant diversity and the evolutionary relationships of plants and the third on the botanical aspects of the main crops. During the course two practical classes are also are planned.
In the first section after an introduction on the general concepts of cytology, peculiarities of the plant cell are illustrated, then the different levels of organization are addressed, the morphological and anatomical structure of plants, the mechanisms of development and reproduction, highlighting the relationship between cytological, histological and morphological aspects. In particular at cellular level the following topics will be discussed: the plant cell, the cell wall, the cytoskeleton, the endomembrane system (endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus), the vacuole, plastids and the nucleus including also cell cycle and an introduction to mitosis and meiosis. At tissue level, meristematic, parenchymal, mechanical, tegumental, conducting, and secretory tissues, while at the organ level, the stem, leaf and root. Finally, reproduction, seeds and fruits are addressed at organisms level.
In the second part, devoted to plant diversity, is illustrated in detail the theory of evolution and the main lines of evolution of the plant kingdom with particular reference to the main morphological, biological, phylogenetic and adaptive aspects of plants.
In particular this section of the course covers the main general features, modality of reproduction and systematic of the major plant evolutionary lines: cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms, both dicotyledons and monocotyledons.
The third section considers the botanical aspects of the major crop plants grown in Italy (wheat, rice, tomato, olive, apple, corn, potato, vitis and citrus fruits) but also abroad (soybean, cotton and canola). In this section plants as producers of bioactive molecules, plants as environmental purifiers and plants producing allergens are also shortly introduced.
The course also includes a guided visit to the University Botanical Garden "Angelo Rambelli", the visit is intended to illustrate the importance of Botanical Gardens and the underlying principles followed in their design and establishment, particular importance is reserved to explaination of the different recreated biomes.

Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Gabriella Pasqua, Giovanna Abbate, Cinzia Forni. Piccin

For insights:
Biologia delle piante di Raven. Ray F Evert, Susan E Eichhorn. Zanichelli