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PRINCIPLES OF HYDRAULICS AND PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Module BIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF CROPS

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GAETANO PANDINO

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding: Acquisition of fundamental knowledge concerning the main processes of plant biology and physiology, with particular reference to water relations, water absorption and transport, transpiration, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, and respiration.

Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the interpretation of the processes governing the relationships among soil, water, plant, and atmosphere, and to analyze simple physiological phenomena through theoretical-practical and experimental activities.

Making judgements: Ability to critically interpret data and observations relating to plant physiological processes and to assess their implications with respect to environmental conditions and the sustainable management of water resources and land.

Learning skills: Ability to communicate the main concepts of plant physiology clearly and using appropriate scientific language, and to present data and results from simple experimental activities.

Course Structure

The course will be conducted using the following methods:

Lectures
Participatory lessons
Cooperative learning sessions

Should the course be delivered in blended or distance-learning mode, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what has been stated above, in order to comply with the program outlined in the syllabus.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students may request a personal interview in order to arrange any compensatory and/or exempting measures, based on the teaching objectives and specific needs.

Students may also contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) departmental representative of our Department, Prof. Anna De Angelis.

Required Prerequisites

No requirements needed..

Attendance of Lessons

Attending the classes is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it facilities the learning process and contributed to the achievement of the learning objectives

Detailed Course Content

1. Cell Biology and Plant Life Cycles

- Plant Cell: Characteristics and Differences from Animal Cell

- Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells: General Characteristics

- Cellular Organelles: Cell Membrane, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Complex, Mitochondria, Nucleus, Plastids, Vacuole, Cell Wall

- Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis

- Plant Life Cycle: From the Zygote to Organism Development

- Vegetative and Reproductive Cycle of Angiosperms (From the Zygote to the Seed)

- Role of Light in Biological Processes and Plant Development (Photomorphogenesis, Photoreceptors, Light, and Hormones)

2. Plant Morphology and Organization

- Plant Organographies: Root, Stem, Leaf, Flower, Fruit, and Seed

- Morphological Differences between Herbaceous and Arboreal Plants

- Plant Tissues: Meristems, Parenchyma, Mechanical, Integumental, Conductive, and Secretory Tissues

- Flower: Structure, Function, and Development. Pollination and Fertilization

- Seed and Fruit Formation. Types of Fruit

- Morphological Adaptations to Function and Environment

3. Physiology of Cultivated Plants

- Leaf Transpiration and Water Movement in Plants

- Photosynthesis: Light Phases and the Calvin Cycle

- Cellular Respiration and the Krebs Cycle

- Absorption and Transport of Mineral Nutrients

- Translocation of Photoassimilates through the Phloem

- Phytohormones and Growth Regulation: Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, Abscisic Acid

- Relationship between Physiology and Productivity of Cultivated Plants



Textbook Information

Book 1: Biologia delle piante di Raven (2013) – Evert R.F., Eichhorn S.E. – Zanichelli Editore, Bologna. Pagine: 944. ISBN: 978-88-081-7504-5

Book 2: Rascio et al. — Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale, III ed., EdiSES, 2021 - ISBN: 9788836230426

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Cell biology and plant life cyclesBook 1. Course materials provided by the lecturer
2Morphology and organization of the plantBook 1. Course materials provided by the lecturer
3Physiology of cultivated plantsBook 2. TCourse materials provided by the lecturer

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Learning assessment takes place through an oral examination. The evaluation of the student's preparation will be based on the following criteria: learning ability and the depth of understanding of the topics covered, capacity for synthesis and clarity of exposition, and the student's reasoning skills.

The evaluation follows the following scheme:

Mark


Fail

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant shortcomings and inaccuracies

Ability to analyze and synthesize: irrelevant with frequent generalizations

Use of references: completely inappropriate

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate

Use of references: just appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level

Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair bility to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner

Using references: use standard referencesd

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently

Using references: use of standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good

Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth

30-30 cum laude

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: important insights

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

  • 1. What is the main difference between a plant cell and an animal cell?
  • 2. What is the difference between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell?
  • 3. What is the function of the vacuole in plant cells?
  • 4. What is mitosis?
  • 5. What is meiosis?
  • 6. What is the difference between the vegetative cycle and the reproductive cycle?
  • 7. What are the main organs of a plant?
  • 8. What is the difference between a herbaceous plant and a woody plant?
  • 9.What is the function of a flower?
  • 10. What is plant transpiration?
  • 11. Where does the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis take place?
  • 12. What is the difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?