Degree | Type | Year |
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Microbiology | FB | 1 |
You can view this information at the end of this document.
It is advisable to review plant cell structure and function, fundamentals of Biochemistry.
The course aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of plant biology, addressing both structural and functional aspects.
Plants and microorganisms share a close evolutionary and functional relationship that has often led to a strong mutual dependency. Evident examples include key symbiotic relationships such as the formation of mycorrhizae or the symbiotic fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, but also phytopathological interactions, which are highly important in agriculture, and saprophytic interactions, which are essential for the cycling of mineral nutrients in ecosystems.
To understand these complex interactions, which are the primary educational objectives of advanced courses, students must first acquire the ability to recognize different levels of plant organization, the basic vital functions, and their regulation by internal and external factors.
To support the learning process, the course is divided into two modules that respectively cover structural and functional fundamentals with the following objectives:
Module 1: Plant Physiology
Integration of knowledge regarding the functioning of plants at different organizational levels within the whole organism and their regulation by internal and environmental factors.
Module 2: Plant Cytology and Histology
A broad understanding of the diversity of plant cells and the ability to distinguish the cytophysiological characteristics that define the different tissues of plants.
Module 1: Plant Physiology
1.1. Peculiarities of plant life: nutrition and form.
1.2. Water requirement: Concept of water potential; Osmotic relationships and growth.
1.3. Absorption and transport of water.
1.4. Mineral requirements: plant mineral nutrition. Plant-soil relationships.
1.5. Absorption and transport of nutrients.
1.6. Plants and light. Photosynthetic pigments; Energy conversion.
1.7. Reductive Carbon Assimilation; C3 metabolism.
1.8. Photorespiration.
1.9. C4 and CAM metabolism.
1.10. Reductive assimilation of nitrogen and sulfur.
1.11. Secondary metabolism, pathways, functions and applications.
1.12. Regulation of growth and development by internal factors: Phytohormones and genetic regulation.
1.13. Regulation by external factors. Sensory and regulation systems for flowering. Photoperiodism, thermoperiodism and vernalization.
1.14. Seed dormancy and germination.
1.15. Fruit formation and maturation.
1.16. Senescence and abscission.
1.17. Exploring the functions of the microbiome in the physiology of plants: An Integrated Approach.
Module 2: Plant Cytology and Histology
2.1 Special features of the plant cell. Cell wall. Tissue concept in Phanerogams.
2.2 Meristems. Apical meristems, cambium and phellogen.
2.3 Parenchyma: tissue organization. Root endodermis. Transfer cells.
2.4 Mechanical tissues. Collenchyma. Sclerenchyma. Sclerenchyma cells.
2.5 Xylem. Tracheids and vessel elements. Fibers and xylem parenchyma.
2.6 Phloem. Sieve tubes and sieve tube elements. Phloem parenchyma. Sclereids and phloem fibres.
2.7 Dermal tissue. Epidermis. Periderm.
Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Type: Directed | |||
Seminars | 8 | 0.32 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM06, SM07, CM05 |
Theory classes | 37 | 1.48 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM06, SM07, CM05 |
Type: Supervised | |||
Tutorials | 6 | 0.24 | CM05, CM06, SM06, CM05 |
Type: Autonomous | |||
Literature review | 7.5 | 0.3 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM06, SM07, CM05 |
Public speaking preparation | 10 | 0.4 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM06, SM07, CM05 |
Study | 65 | 2.6 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM06, SM07, CM05 |
Text reading | 7.5 | 0.3 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM06, SM07, CM05 |
Work composition | 5 | 0.2 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM07, CM05 |
MODULE 1 (Plant Physiology)
The content of this module is delivered through 25 lectures and 5 seminars of 1 hour each (5 hours).
Lectures
During the lectures, the faculty will explain the content of the syllabus outlined in the "contents" section above. Personal study is encouraged, using the recommended bibliography and class notes.
Seminars
These sessions aim to foster critical thinking among students through the analysis and/or discussion of cases and problems, public presentation of projects, answering questions related to the topics covered in lectures, and conducting an up-to-date research project, among other activities.
Tutorials
Tutorials will be conducted on a personalized basis (schedule to be arranged). Tutorials are used to clarify concepts, reinforce acquired knowledge, and facilitate student study.
MODULE 2 (Plant Cytology and Histology)
The content of this module is delivered through 12 lectures and 3 seminars of 1 hour each (3 hours).
Seminars
The 3 scheduled seminars are designed to help students acquire group work skills and critical reasoning. The class will be divided into groups of 4 to 6 students, each working on a specific topic from the syllabus for subsequent oral presentation and collective discussion. The organization of groups and the assignment of topics will take place during the first seminar. In the remaining seminars, some student groups will submit their proposed topic in writing to the instructor. These groups will then orally present the topic to the rest of the class using the available classroom resources.
_____________________
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Citology and Histology Exam | 26.7 | 2 | 0.08 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM07 |
Homework and seminar and tutorial participation, Plant Physiology module | 13 | 0 | 0 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM06 |
Plant Physiology exam | 54.3 | 2 | 0.08 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM06 |
Work, Oral presentation, Qualific. inter-group and intra-group. Citology and Histology Module | 6 | 0 | 0 | CM05, CM06, KM08, SM07 |
The specific and transversal competencies of this course will be continuously assessed through written tests (exams), thematic written assignments, completed questionnaires, oral presentations, and participation in seminars.
Each module is evaluated independently. Students must pass both modules to pass the course. The final grade is calculated by weighting the grades of each module based on the number of credits for each [Module 1: 4 credits; Module 2: 2 credits]. The weighting for each module is as follows: Module 1: 67% of the course grade, Module 2: 33% of the course grade.
To participate in the retake, students must have been previously assessed in a set of activities that account for at least two-thirds of the total grade of the course or module. Therefore, students will receive a grade of "Not Assessable" if the activities performed account for less than 67% of the final grade.
Repeating students only need to retake the specific modules they have not passed.
Evaluation of Module 1: Plant Physiology
The final grade for this module will be based on the results of the following continuous assessment activities: Written Tests: These account for 80% of the final grade. Two partial exams will be conducted, each contributing 40% to the final mark. Seminars: Attendance is mandatory and represents 20% of the overall grade. To pass the module, it is essential to obtain a minimum grade of 5 in both the written exams and the seminars. Only in that case will the final weighted grade be calculated, which must also be equal to or greater than 5.
If the student is unable to attend the exam (due to a duly justified reason), they must sit the resit examination. If they fail this resit, they will be entitled to a second official exam session. In the case of unjustified absence from one or more seminars, a grade of zero willbe assigned to the corresponding seminar, which will proportionally affect the final grade of the seminar block. In case of a justified absence from a seminar, the absence may be compensated through an alternative activity defined by the teaching team. If the compensatory activity is not submitted, the percentage corresponding to that seminar will be reduced in the final grade.
Unique Evaluation
The unique evaluation consists of a comprehensive test on the module's theoretical content (questions to develop, concept relationships, real case resolution). This test will be conducted on the same day, time, and place as the module's theoretical exam. The resit of the single assessment will take place on the same date, time, and location as the general resit for the course.
To pass the course, it is necessary to obtain a minimum grade of 5 in each part (single assessment and seminars).
Evaluation of Module 2: Plant Cytology and Histology
The competencies of this module will be assessed through continuous evaluation, including various tests, written assignments, and public presentations. A minimum grade of 5 (out of 10) is required to pass this module. The evaluation system is divided into two sections, each independently assessed and assigned a specific weight in the final module grade:
Attendance: Mandatory. Unjustified absences result in penalties:
Unique Evaluation
The unique evaluation of the "Plant Cytology and Histology" module consists of a comprehensive test on theoretical content. This test will be held on the same day, time, and place as the module's theoretical exam. The retake test will also be on the same day, time, and place as the course retake.
General Considerations
Written tests can be passed with partial exams (corresponding to module content) or the final recovery test for both modules. Students who miss or fail any partial test can retake the respective parts during the scheduled final exam at the end of the semester. Those who miss all partial tests cannot attend the retake.
Grade Improvement
Students can take a grade improvement exam for each module. These exams will be held on the same day as the course retake.To improve the grade, students must take the final module exam, and the latest exam grade will be considered (replacing previously achieved grades).
Module 1
Azcon Bieto J & Talón M. Fundamentos de Fisiología Vegetal, 2nd Ed, McGraw-Hill, Interamericana (2013).
Barceló, J. et al. Fisiología Vegetal, Ed. Piràmide, Madrid 2005
Taiz L & Zeiger E. Plant Physiology, 6th edition, Sinauer, Sunderland, MA (USA, 2014); Other resources for Plant Physiology and Development, 7ed Instructor: Resources (https://learninglink.oup.com/access/taiz7e-student-resources#tag_all-chapters).
Relevant references
Barceló, J. et al. Fisiología Vegetal, Ed. Piràmide, Madrid 2005
Module 2
Esau, K.: Anatomía vegetal (ed. Omega) Fahn, A.: Anatomía vegetal (ed. Pirámide)
Mauseth, J.D.: Plant Anatomy. (ed. Benjamin/Cummings)
Paniagua, R. y col.: Citología e Histología vegetal y animal (ed. McGraw-Hill)
Digital documents:
https://mmegias.webs.uvigo.es/descargas/descargas.php
http://www.hiperbotanica.net/
http://wzar.unizar.es/acad/histologia/paginas/Atlas_inicio.htm
https://editorial.unam.edu.ar/images/documentos_digitales/978-950-579-064-7.pdf
http://www.facmed.unam.mx/deptos/biocetis/atlas2013A/
Relevant references
Esau, K.: Anatomía vegetal (ed. Omega)
Mauseth, J.D.: Plant Anatomy. (ed. Benjamin/Cummings)
No software is needed
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
---|---|---|---|---|
(SEM) Seminars | 711 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |
(SEM) Seminars | 712 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |
(TE) Theory | 71 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | afternoon |