Identifying Data 2024/25
Subject (*) Introduction to Botany: General Botany Code 610G02023
Study programme
Grao en Bioloxía
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Graduate 1st four-month period
First Obligatory 6
Language
Spanish
Galician
English
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Bioloxía
Coordinador
Piñeiro Portela, Rosalía
E-mail
rosalia.pineiro@udc.es
Lecturers
Fagúndez Díaz, Jaime
Piñeiro Portela, Rosalía
Sahuquillo Balbuena, Elvira
E-mail
jaime.fagundez@udc.es
rosalia.pineiro@udc.es
elvira.sahuquillob@udc.es
Web http://http://campusvirtual.udc.es/moodle/
General description Iniciación á Botánica ou ciencia que se encarga do estudo dos diferentes grupos de organismos clasicamente coñecidos como vexetais, integrando información doutras materias (fisioloxía, anatomía e histoloxía vexetal, bioquímica, xenética, ecoloxía, etc) e que capacita ao alumno para traballar en diferentes ámbitos: como investigador, docente, na asesoría ambiental, a agronomía e a etnobotánica.

Competencies / Study results
Code Study programme competences / results
A1 Recoñecer distintos niveis de organización nos sistemas vivos.
A2 Identificar organismos.
A4 Obter, manexar, conservar e observar especímenes.
A7 Reconstruír as relacións filogenéticas entre unidades operacionales e pór a proba hipóteses evolutivas.
A19 Analizar e interpretar o comportamento dous seres vivos.
A22 Describir, analizar, avaliar e planificar o medio físico.
A29 Impartir coñecementos de Bioloxía.
A30 Manexar adecuadamente instrumentación científica.
A31 Desenvolverse con seguridade nun laboratorio.
A32 Desenvolverse con seguridade no traballo de campo.
B1 Aprender a aprender.
B3 Aplicar un pensamento crítico, lóxico e creativo.
B6 Organizar e planificar o traballo.
B7 Comunicarse de maneira efectiva nunha contorna de traballo.
B8 Sintetizar a información.
B9 Formarse unha opinión propia.
B10 Exercer a crítica científica.
B12 Adaptarse a novas situacións.
C1 Expresarse correctamente, tanto de forma oral coma escrita, nas linguas oficiais da comunidade autónoma.
C3 Utilizar as ferramentas básicas das tecnoloxías da información e as comunicacións (TIC) necesarias para o exercicio da súa profesión e para a aprendizaxe ao longo da súa vida.
C4 Desenvolverse para o exercicio dunha cidadanía aberta, culta, crítica, comprometida, democrática e solidaria, capaz de analizar a realidade, diagnosticar problemas, formular e implantar solucións baseadas no coñecemento e orientadas ao ben común.
C6 Valorar criticamente o coñecemento, a tecnoloxía e a información dispoñible para resolver os problemas cos que deben enfrontarse.

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences / results
Ability to convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences. B1
B3
B7
C1
Learning skills needed to undertake further studies B6
B8
B12
C4
-Ability for reasoning, argumentation and critical thinking. B3
B7
B9
B10
C4
C6
- Understanding the morphological and taxonomical diversity of fungi, algae and plants. A1
A2
A29
Ability to apply ICT in the field of Biology. B12
C3
- Understanding the taxonomic organization and nomenclature of fungi, algae and plants. A1
A2
A7
- Understanding the evidences of the evolutionary relationships among the different fungi, algae and plants. A7
- Learning basic techniques of field- and laboratory work in Botany. A22
A30
A31
A32
- Acquiring skills related to the observation, description and identification of fungi, algae and plants. A1
A2
A4
- Understanding the different reproductive types and life cycles of the diverse organisms studied in Botany. A19
- Encourage students to further learn and research about Botany, a basic discipline in Biology. B6
B12
-Being able to critically manage relevant information from different bibliographic sources. B1
B8
B9
B10

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
BLOCK I: INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL CONCEPTS
I.1. Organisms studied in Botany.
I.2. The Scientific Method in Botany.
I.3. Systematics, nomenclature and taxonomy of plants.
I.4. Fields and applications of Botany.
BLOCK II: STRUCTURE OF PLANTS AND FUNGI II.1. Introduction to the structure of plants and fungi
II.2. The vegetative body.
II.3. Reproductive structures.
II.4. Reproduction. Alternation of nuclear and generational phases. Biological cycles.
BLOCK III: ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
III.1. Plant communities and populations. Interaction with other organisms
III.2. Reproductive ecology
III.3. Conservation of plant biodiversity. Conservation threats and strategies
III.4. Geobotany as an integrative science. The floristic kingdoms and the main plant formations of the Earth. Biomes.
BLOCK IV: BIODIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION IV.1. The evolution in vegetables. Frame of vegetables in living things. Evolutionary relationships and importance of phylogeny. Characters and main groups
IV.2. Morphological levels of plant organization. Evolution from talophytes to cormophytes
IV.3. Photosynthetic coins and protists. Cyanobacteria and algae
IV.4. Fungi and other heterotrophic organisms. Fungal symbioses
IV.5. Plants without flowers. General characteristics of embryophytes. Vascular embryophytes. General characteristics and life cycle of pteridophytes
IV.6. The prevascular vascular embryophytes. General characteristics and life cycle of bryophytes
IV.7. Flowering plants. General characteristics and life cycle of spermatophytes
IV.8. Gymnosperms and angiosperms (dicotyledons and monocotyledons)
SEMINARS 1.- Classification and systematics.
2.- Life cycles of plants and fungi.
3.-Floral diagrams and formulas. Identification keys.
4.- Comparative studies of organism
LAB SESSIONS 1.- Introduction of the local vegetal landscape, organographic study and field diagnosis of a selection of species. Collection and conservation methods.
2.- Characteristics and function of fungi and lichens. Observation of vegetative (mycelium) and reproductive structures in microscopic Zygomycetes and Ascomycetes. Recognition of fruiting bodies of Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes. Morphological types of lichens and their habitat. Recognition of reproductive structures in lichens.
3.- Characteristics and function of microscopic algae. Microscope handling. Analysis of microscopic algae in inland waters (eutrophic or not). Study of algae in marine plankton.
4.- Characteristics and function of macroscopic algae. Observation of freshwater and marine representatives. Organization and morphology, reproductive structures and life cycle.
5.- Characteristics and function of bryophytes and pteridophytes. Study of diversity of representatives of bryophytes (liver and moss) and pteridophytes (ferns, horsetails and lycopods).
6.- Characteristics and function of gymnosperms. Observation of vegetative and reproductive characters. Recognition of species of gymnosperms (Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Taxaceae) representative of the Iberian flora.
7.- The flower. Flower analysis. Morphological study of different types of flowers.
8.- Study of the characteristics and function of monocotyledonous angiosperms. Recognition of common species in the Iberian Eurosiberian environment.
9.- Study of the characteristics and function of dicotyledonous angiosperms. Recognition of common species in the Iberian Eurosiberian environment.
CASE STUDY ( ICT practicals) Realization of a virtual herbarium as a valid strategy of research training that enable the theoretical-practical integration of previous knowledge with new computer technologies, to obtain meaningful learning.

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies / Results Teaching hours (in-person & virtual) Student’s personal work hours Total hours
ICT practicals B3 B7 B9 B10 C3 C4 C6 0 21 21
Laboratory practice A2 A4 A30 A31 A32 B1 20 20 40
Guest lecture / keynote speech A1 A2 A4 A7 A19 A22 A29 B8 B9 23 46 69
Objective test B7 B8 B12 C1 2 0 2
Seminar B1 B3 B7 C1 8 8 16
 
Personalized attention 2 0 2
 
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies Description
ICT practicals Realization of a virtual herbarium as a valid strategy of research training that enable the theoretical-practical integration of previous knowledge with new computer technologies, to obtain meaningful learning.
Laboratory practice The student will work with different kinds of living and preserved material, representative of the studied groups of the subject.
Guest lecture / keynote speech Lecturers will explain the main concepts of the subject. Lecture notes will be uploaded.
Objective test The acquisition of the contents of the subject will be qualified by means of an objective written test that will include test-type questions, definitions, short questions and topics to be developed.
Seminar Lecturers will invite the students to work on specific aspects of the studied groups, and discussion will follow in seminars.

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Seminar
Laboratory practice
ICT practicals
Description
Personalized attention will be given individually when direct feedback to the student so requires. In case of in-person situation, it will take place during the development of the tutorials of the subject. In the event of a non-contact situation, it will take place online, during pre-arranged tutorial hours, and via e-mail.
For students with recognition of part-time dedication and academic exemption from attendance, specific tutorials will be agreed at the beginning of the course, either to attend or arranged electronically via email, and that are compatible with their dedication.
Gender discrimination will be avoided and actions and measures will be proposed to correct them. Non-sexist language will be used, intervention in class by students will be encouraged.
The integration of students who, due to physical, sensory, mental or sociocultural reasons, experience difficulties in passing the subject, through the appropriate aids, will be facilitated.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies / Results Description Qualification
Objective test B7 B8 B12 C1 A written test will be used to assess learning. The Objective Test can combine different types of questions: multiple choice questions, ordering questions, short answer questions, discrimination questions, completion questions and / or association questions. It can also be built with a single type of any of these questions. 45
Seminar B1 B3 B7 C1 Quality of interventions and demonstrated interest in the subject 10
Laboratory practice A2 A4 A30 A31 A32 B1 Resolution of questionnaires and the submission of practical reports. Content and quality will be graded. 30
ICT practicals B3 B7 B9 B10 C3 C4 C6 At the beginning of the course, students are informed of the activity to be carried out throughout the course, which can be both individual and group. The content, quality and presentation of the activity will be qualified. 15
 
Assessment comments

In order to pass the subject at the first opportunity it will be necessary to have a participation of at least 70% of the scheduled evaluable activities. Likewise, the student must obtain at least a grade of 4.5 out of 10 points in theory, and 4 out of 10 in the practical part.

In order to pass the subject in the second opportunity (July), the student, depending on the result of his first evaluation, will have to carry a written objective test and pass the practical part. The need to take one or both of the second-chance examinations will be indicated in the first opportunity grades.

The qualifications obtained in the evaluable activities will be kept only during the corresponding academic year except for the practical part. To obtain the qualification of "not presented" the student will not be able to participate in more than 30% of the scheduled evaluable activities. In the case of students with part-time dedication or specific learning modalities and support for diversity, the assessment of the objective tests will be the same, and the continual assessment of participation may be replaced by an individual work proposed by the teacher and evaluated in tutorials.

In the case of students with recognition of part-time dedication and academic exemption from attendance, the same evaluation criteria will be followed for the 1st and 2nd opportunity as for the rest of the students.

Fraud on the tests or assessment activities will directly imply the grade of failed  '0' in the subject in the corresponding opportunity, invalidating like this any grades obtained in all the assessment activities towards the extraordinary announcement.


Sources of information
Basic

Theory:

BARNES, C. (2001). Invitación a la Biología. Panamericana

DIAZ-GONZALEZ, T.E.; FERNÁNDEZ-CARVAJAL, M.C. & FERNÁNDEZ, J. A.(2004). Curso de Botánica. Ediciones Trea, Gijón.

FONT I QUER, P. (1982). Iniciación a la Botánica. Editorial Fontalba.

FONT I QUER (1987). Plantas medicinales. El Dioscórides renovado. Labor.

FONT I QUER, P. (1993). Diccionario de Botánica. Labor, Barcelona.

IZCO, J.; BARRENO, E.; BRUGUÉS, M.; COSTA M.; DEVESA, J.; FERNÁNDEZ, F.; GALLARDO, T.; LLIMONA, X; SALVO, E; TALAVERA, S. & VALDÉS, B. (2004). Botánica. McGraw-Hill, Madrid.

NABORS, M.W. (2006). Introducción a la Botánica. Pearson.

REECE, C. et al. (2008). Biology. Pearson International Edition

SCAGEL, R.; BANDONI,R.J.; ROUSE,G.E.; SCHOFIELD, G.E.; STEIN,J.R. & TAYLOR,T.M.(1987). El Reino Vegetal. Omega, Barcelona.

STRASBURGER, E., F. NOLL, H. SCHENCK & A.F.W. SCHIMPER. (2004). Tratado de Botánica (actualizado por P. SITTE et al.) Omega, Barcelona.

Practicals:

AIZPURU,I.; ASEGINOLAZA, C.; URIBE-ECHEBERRÍA, P.M.; URRUTIA, P. & ZORRAKIN, I. (2000). Claves ilustradas de la Flora del País Vasco y territorios limítrofes. Servicio Central de Publicaciones del Gobierno Vasco.

ANDRÉS, J., B. LLAMAS, A. TERRÓN, J.A. SÁNCHEZ, O.G. PRIETO, E. ARROJO & T.P. JARAUTA (1990). Guía de hongos de la Península Ibérica (noroeste peninsular, León), claves-descripciones-fotografías. Celarayn, León.

BÁRBARA, I. & J. CREMADES (1993). Guía de las algas del litoral gallego. Ayuntamiento de La Coruña, Casa de las Ciencias.

BONNIER, G. & De LAYENS, G. (1993). Claves para la determinación de plantas vasculares. Omega, Barcelona.

CABIOC'H, J., J. FLOC'H, A. TOQUIN, C.F. Le, Ch.-F. BOUDURESQUE, A. MEINESZ & M. VERLAQUE (2006). Guía de las algas del Atlántico y del Mediterráneo. Omega, Madrid.

CASTROVIEJO, S. et al (2001). Claves de Flora Ibérica, vol. I . Real Jardín Botánico, Madrid.

EGEA FERNANDEZ, J.Mª & P. TORRENTE PAÑOS (1997). Manual de Teoría y Prácticas de Botánica. DM Librero Editor.

GERHARDT, E., J. VILA & X. LLIMONA (2000). Hongos de España y de Europa. Omega, Barcelona.

GARCÍA, X.R. (2008). Guía das plantas de Galicia. Xerais.

JAHNS, H.M. & A.K. MASSELINK (1982). Guía de campo de los helechos, musgos y líquenes de Europa. Omega, Barcelona.

MANOBENS, R. Mª (1988). Botánica, instruccions per als recol-lectors de plantes: l'herbari. Preparació i documentació. Generalitat de Catalunya.

MAYOR, M. & T.E. DÍAZ (2003). La flora Asturiana. Ayala, Oviedo.

NIÑO RICOI, H. (2008). Guía dos fentos de Galicia. Baía Edicións.

PÉREZ VALCÁRCEL, C., LÓPEZ PRADO, Mª & LÓPEZ DE SILANES VÁZQUEZ, Mª (2003). Guía dos liques de Galicia. Baía Edicións.

SALVO TIERRA, E. (1990). Guía de helechos de la Península Ibérica y Baleares. Pirámide, Madrid.

WIRTH, V., R. DÜLL, X. LLIMONA, R.-M. ROS & O. WERNER (2004). Guía de campo de los líquenes, musgos y hepáticas. Omega

Complementary


Recommendations
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously

Subjects that continue the syllabus
Plant Systematics: Cryptogamia/610G02024
Plant Systematics: Phanerogamia/610G02025
Botanical Geography: Geobotany/610G02026

Other comments

<p> It is highly recommended that you take this course before any other continuing subjects (namey Botánica Sistemática: Criptogamia, Botánica Sistemática: Fanerogamia and Xeobotánica) </p>



(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.