Basics of botany

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to botany, to learn and understand the principles of structure and function of plant organisms at different levels of biological organisation, to understand the relationship between the morphological structure of plants and their adaptation to their environment, to present the possibilities of using knowledge of plants in various areas of human life.

1. Forms of plant body organisation and their evolution.

2. Morphology and anatomy of vegetative organs of telomic plants.

3. Structure and function of generative organs of plants.

4. Morphological and anatomical adaptations of plants to the environment.

5. Reproduction and mating systems.

6. Hermaphroditism and dioecism in plants; functional and evolutionary aspects.

7. Outline of Phytobiont systematics, characteristics of the main taxonomic groups.

8. The role of plants in selected fields of human activity.

1). Bresinsky A., Körner Ch., Kadereit J.W., Neuhaus G., Sonnewald U. 2013. Strassburger’s Plant Sciences Including Prokaryotes and Fungi. Vol. 1 & 2. Springer – Verlag Berlin Heidelberg (PDF excerpts made available to students on the Virtual Campus platform).

2). Shipunov A. 2020. Introduction to botany. http://ashipunov.info/shipunov/school/biol_154/

3). Internet sources:

a). Botanical Dictionary: (http://botanydictionary.org/)

b). Plant Anatomy: http://facweb.furman.edu/~lthompson/bgy34/plantanatomy/plant_shoot.htm

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/econbot/02-PlantAnatomy.pdf)

Based on the Resolution No. XXV-24.4/23 of the Senate of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University of 29 March 2023, applicable from the 2023/2024 academic cycle:

Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands

W1. advanced terminology used in botany and biology; recognises, describes and compares the structures of thalloid and telomic plants and their modifications, as well as relationships between plant structure and function (K_W01, K_W03, K_W08).

W2. life cycles of thalloid plants, alternation of generations in telomic plants, principles of plant classification and nomenclature, evolutionary relationships among major taxonomic groups and characteristics of representative plant taxa (K_W02, K_W03, K_W04).

W3. relationships between plants and the environment, including morphological and anatomical adaptations of plants to different ecological conditions and the role of plants in ecosystems (K_W04, K_W07).

W4. the importance of biodiversity conservation, selected methods of plant protection, threats caused by invasive species and the role of plants in sustainable development and human activity (K_W07, K_W09, K_W10).

W5. the principles of microscopic analysis, preparation of biological material, the use of basic laboratory techniques and equipment in botanical studies, as well as principles of safety and hygiene during laboratory work (K_W05, K_W06, K_W10).

Skills: the graduate is able to

U1. formulate and solve biological problems, critically analyse scientific information and draw conclusions concerning plant structure, function and adaptation based on available sources and observations (K_U01, K_U02, K_U03).

U2. properly select and use scientific literature and specialist terminology in Polish and English to describe botanical structures, processes and phenomena (K_U01, K_U08).

U3. use microscopes and basic laboratory equipment, prepare biological material for observation and perform microscopic analysis and identification of plant structures and selected taxa (K_U04, K_U05).

U4. document and present the results of botanical observations and laboratory analyses using appropriate biological terminology and scientific sources (K_U07, K_U08).

U5. organise individual and team work connected with botanical analyses and laboratory tasks and develop skills necessary for independent learning in biological sciences (K_U10, K_U11).

Social competence: the graduate is ready to

K1. critically evaluate possessed knowledge, reliability of biological observations and received information in the field of botany and related biological sciences (K_K01, K_K02).

K2. recognise the importance of botanical knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development (K_K02, K_K03).

K3. follow principles of safety, professional ethics and responsibility during laboratory and team work and to critically assess his/her own actions and those of the team (K_K05, K_K06).

Resolution of the UMCS Senate No. XXIV-27.18/19 of 29 May 2019, i.e. from the 2019/2020 education cycle:

Knowledge: the graduate

W1. Knows the terminology used in botany; recognises, describes and compares the plant structures produced by thalloid and telomic plants and their modifications (K_W01).

W2. Knows life cycles of thalloid plants and the alternation of generations (metagenesis) of telomic plants; the principles of plant classification, the position of plants in the taxonomic system; evolution of the plant world; main representatives of major taxonomic units (K_W01, K_W03).

W3. Knows and understands the relationship between plants and the environment (K_W01, K_W03, K_W04).

W4. Knows and understands the essence of actions for the preservation of biodiversity as a condition for ensuring balance in the environment natural environment (K_W04, K_W05).

W5. Knows the methods of plant protection, the most important protected plant species and invasive species threatening the native flora (K_W06, K_W08).

Skills: the graduate

U1. Is able to formulate and solve problems, critically assess facts, draw correct conclusions from observations made using knowledge of plants in everyday life and in activities for the environment and preservation of biodiversity (K_U01).

U2. Is able to independently make the proper selection of literature, conduct critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of scientific information, as well as properly plan and organize individual and group work (K_U02, K_U07).

U3. Is able to plan and organize individual and team work aimed at efficient solution of problems and completion of assigned tasks using appropriate methods (K_U03, K_U04, K_U07).

Social competence: the graduate

K1. Is ready to critically evaluate his/her and team actions and to be responsible for the consequences of these actions (K_01).

K2. Is ready to critically assess his/her knowledge and to the importance of this knowledge in solving cognitive problems (K_K02).