Course name: Plant Biology and Phytochemistry
COURSE CONTENT
Plant Biology
Principles of plant biology. Organization, function, growth/development of plants; structure, function, and dynamic properties of cell wall and plant cellular components such vacuole and plastids. How cellular structures are assembled; structure and function of plant tissue systems; structure and organization of vegetative plant organs (stem, root, leaf, ecc.).
Phytochemistry
Classification of primary and secondary plant metabolites: occurrence, biological and chemotaxonomic importance; biosynthesis; physico-chemical properties, extraction and characterization; biological properties.
Main secondary metabolites: phenolic compounds (simple phenols and phenolic acids, coumarins, lignans, flavonoids, tannins, polyketides); terpenoids and steroids (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, iridoids, sesquiterpenoids lactones, diterpenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes); alkaloids. Minor secondary metabolites: alkyne derivatives, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates, betalains. In each class some typical compounds are discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOME
The goal is to develop an understanding of how cellular structures function and contribute to cell growth, cell fate and development. Emphasis is done to structure and organization of plant cell in relation to secondary metabolism activity; the second part of the course provides an overview of the most important classes of plant metabolites. Much attention is paid on their building blocks and the biosynthetic mechanisms.
CREDITS: 8
CONTACT INFORMATION
Prof. Rosy Caniato - Biology Department - Via U. Bassi 58/B Padova
Tel 049 8276271
Fax 049 8276260
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Prof. Raffaella Filippini - Biology Department - Via U. Bassi 58/B Padova
Tel 049 8276266
Fax 049 8276260
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