Teaching GuideTerm
Faculty of Science
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Grao en Bioloxía
 Subjects
  Plant Systematics: Phanerogamia
   Contents
Topic Sub-topic
Lectures. Part I. Introduction Unit 1.- SPERMATOPHYTES : Taxonomy and phylogeny. Main characters that define Spermatophytes. The seed as a structure: the first seed. Relationships between the Spermatophytes and the heterosporous ferns.
Unit 2.- The origin of Spermatophytes: Progymnosperms. Evolution and diversity of Spermatophytes. Main differences between Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.
Lectures. Part II. Gymnosperms Unit 3.- Morphology and anatomy of Gymnosperms. Reproductive structures: Gymnospermic flowers and inflorescences. Life cycle in Gymnosperms: Development of the male and the female gametophytes. Fecundation and formation of the seed in Gymnosperms.
Unit 4.- Systematics of Gymnosperms. Characterization of the different evolutionary groups: Divisions Pteridospermophyta, Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Gnetophyta and Coniferophyta
Unit 5.- Division Coniferophyta: evolution, diversity and main defining characters. Important families of Coniferophyta in the Iberian Peninsula: Families Pinaceae, Cupressaceae and Taxaceae.
Lectures. Part III. Angiosperms Unit 6. Angiosperms: Defining characteristics I. Vegetative traits. Defining characteristics II. Reproductive traits. Reproductive Biology: Flowers and inflorescences in the Angiosperms. Evolution of the flower as a structure. Development of the male and female gametophytes. Seeds and fruits: structure and dispersal.
Unit 7.- Origin and diversification of Angiosperms: Theories and ideas. Origin and characterization of the main evolutionary groups: different classification systems. Differences between the ANITA clade, magnoliids, monocots and eudicots.
Unit 8.- Forests: different concepts of forest. Evolution of forests. Environmental importance of NW Iberian forests. Main families forming forests in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere: Families Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae, Oleaceae, Rosaceae, Lauraceae, Caprifoliaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Ulmaceae.
Unit 9.- Shrublands: Different concepts of shrublands. Evolution of shrublands. Environmental importance of NW Iberian shrublands. Main families forming shrublands in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Families Fabaceae, Ericaceae, Cistaceae, Lamiaceae.
Unit 10.- Grasslands: Concept and diversity. Evolution of grasslands. Main families forming grasslands in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Families Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, Asteraceae, Araceae, Ranunculaceae.
Unit 11. Plants at the margin. Diversity of plant communities in wetlands and coastal areas. Some important families being part of wetland and coastal communities in temperate areas of the northern hemisphere. Families Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Plumbaginaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Lentibulariaceae, Lemnaceae, Zosteraceae, Potamogetonaceae.
Unit 12.- Plant domestication. Some economically important families: Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae, Liliaceae s. lat., Iridaceae, Orchidaceae.
Lectures. Part IV. Biogeography Unit 13.- Biogeography: Floristic Kingdoms. Phytochorology: plant distribution areas. Potential vegetation and vegetation series.
Unit 14.- Plant biodiversity and conservation. Ex situ and in situ conservation. Endemic, rare and threatened plants in the Iberian Peninsula. Invasive plants. Global strategies for biodiversity conservation.
Seminars (2 hours) Seminar 1: Gymnosperms: compared analysis of their life cycles. Basic concepts on Gymnosperms. The students will take a test on the diversity and characteristics of Gymnosperms.
Seminar 2: Angiosperms: study of their life cycle. Compared analysis of the life cycles of angiosperms, gymnosperms and heterosporous ferns. The students will take a test on the life cycles of angiosperms, gymnosperms and heterosporous ferns
Seminar 3: Angiosperms. Compared analysis among the most important families in herbaceous, shrubby and forest plant communities in NW Iberian Peninsula.
Seminar 4: Angiosperms. Study of economically important plant families. Analysis of plant groups adapted to extreme environments. Biogeography and plant conservation.
Fieldwork Seed plant diversity in Galicia. We will observe plant diversity in areas that are especially important due to their endemicity, the rarity of their flora, etc.
Laboratory sessions Session 1.- Observation, analysis and identification of gymnosperms.
Session 2.- Observation, analysis and identification of angiosperms: Common families in NW Iberian Peninsula I.
Session 3.- Observation, analysis and identification of angiosperms: Common families in NW Iberian Peninsula II.
Session 4.- Observation, analysis and identification of angiosperms: Common families in NW Iberian Peninsula III.
Session 5.- Observation, analysis and identification of angiosperms: Common families in NW Iberian Peninsula IV.
Session 6.- Observation, analysis and identification of angiosperms: Common families in NW Iberian Peninsula V.
Session 7.- Observation, analysis and identification of angiosperms: Common families in NW Iberian Peninsula VI.
Learning-service The students will acquire some of the skills programmed in the course through collaborative research work with NGOs. This activity is organised as alternative to the Projects described below.
Projects Two projects will be carried out. Both projects will focus on the study of different morphological, biological and evolutionary traits of the spermatophytes. Special attention will be paid to plant diversity in NW Iberian Peninsula.
This task is organised as alternative to the learning-service described above.
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