Corsi di studio in
Farmacia - Chimica e tecnologia farmaceutiche

This course is essentially aimed at acquiring basic knowledge of the biology of plant cells and tissues, focusing on the peculiar characteristics of plant organisms that enable their use in healthcare.

Knowledge and understanding skills

At the end of the course the student will be able:
- to know the general characteristics of a plant organism and to include it into the evolutionary scale
- to describe in detail the peculiar structures of the plant cell
- to understand the mechanisms that regulate cell division and growth in plants
- to understand the organization of plant cells in tissues
- to know the mechanisms of plant reproduction

- to understand the mechanisms relating to chlorophyll photosynthesis and plant nutrition

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course the student will be able:
- to know how to correlate structure and function at different levels of biological hierarchy
- to understand the peculiarities of plant organisms and know how to correlate with applications in the health field

- to recognize the components of plant structures presented in the form of an illustration or scheme

Communication skills

At the end of the course, it will be necessary to communicate the concepts of plant biology with clarity and good command of the language and to use the correct terminologies to describe the cytological and histological components.

Introduction to Plant Biology
        Themes that connect the concepts of biology:
            Evolution and its connection with the taxonomy
            History of life on Hearth (with focus on plant diversity)
            Levels of biological hierarchy
            Interaction between organism and their enviroment
            Structure/function correlation
            Cell as fondamental unit of organisms
            The continuity of life: transmission of inheritable information form of DNA
            Biological systems regulation
        Differences between plants and animals
        Approaches to the study of plants
        Significance of plant organisms in particular in the pharmaceutical field
    The chemistry of plants
        Water and life
        Structure and functions of macromolecules (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids)
    Cytology
        Comparison between animal cell and plant cell
        Structures characteristic only of the plant cell:
            Plastids (chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts)
            Vacuole: content and osmotic pressure
            Cell wall
    An Introduction to Metabolism
        Photosynthesis
        Plant nutrition: absorption of minerals from the roots, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle and phosphorus cycle
  
    Histology
        Meristematic tissues
        Adult tissues:
            Dermal
            Mechanical
            Parenchyma
            Vascular
            Laticiferous
        Differentiation control (plant hormones)
Cell division for plants
        Mitosis and meiosis
        Grown control (apoptosis)    

Plant reproduction
        Plant life cycle
        Sexual and agamic reproduction
        Hints of In vitro plant cell cultures

There are no tests during the course but only a final test. The written test consists of:

First part: Quiz

  -  4 Exercises (2 points each)

  - 16 multiple choice quizzes (0.5 points each)

Second part: Open-ended question

  -  2 open-ended questions in written form of a short structured essay (8 points each).

The written test (first and second part) will last 90 minutes.

Please review the support measures provided by the University for students with disabilities:https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-e-studentesse-con-disabilita.

In case of learning difficulties, please review the support measures offered by the University: https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-e-studentesse-con-disturbi-specifici-di-apprendimento-dsa

Additionally, inform the professor at the beginning of the lessons to arrange a personalized learning plan suited to individual needs. Information regarding compensatory and dispensatory measures for exams is available at the following link: https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-e-studentesse-con-disturbi-specifici-di-apprendimento-dsa/supporto

For any special educational needs, please contact the course professor and departmental representatives to arrange a personalized learning path that suits individual requirements.