Unit BIODIVERSITY AND PLANT EVOLUTION
- Course
- Agricultural and environmental biotechnology
- Study-unit Code
- A002226
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Egizia Falistocco
- Teachers
-
- Egizia Falistocco
- Hours
- 54 ore - Egizia Falistocco
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2020
- Offered
- 2020/21
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Discipline biotecnologiche generali
- Academic discipline
- AGR/07
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italien
- Contents
- The genome structure. The molecular organization of the eukaryotic chromosome. Meiosis and recombination. Variations of chromosome structure and number. The karyotype evolution. Mechanisms of speciation in plants. The domestication. Domestication of animals. Origin and evolution of cultivated plants. The concept of biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation strategies.
- Reference texts
- Falistocco E. – 1998 – Citogenetica vegetale – Patron editore, Bologna.
Thompson J.D. – 2005 – Plant evolution in the Mediterranean - Oxford University Press.
SmarttJ. & Simmonds N.W. – 1995 – Evolution of crop plants – Longman Scientific and Technical, UK
Barcaccia G. & Falcinelli M. – 2005 – Genetica e genomica – Liguori Editore, Napoli – (Vol. II Cap.12).
Jauhar P.P. – 1996 - Methods of genome analysis in plants – CRC Press, New York – Cap. 3, 10, 11.
Malossini F. – 2001 – La domesticazione degli animali – Atti Acc. Rov. Agiati serie VIII, Vol. I B.
Papers provided by the teacher. - Educational objectives
- The main objective of this course is to provide knowledge of chromosome organization and the role and function of chromosomes in the process of heredity. The students should demonstrate to understand interconnections between chromosomes and evolutionary processes. Furthermore the knowledge of the main advanced technologies on cytogenetics.
- Prerequisites
- In order to be able to understand the subjects treated during the course the student is required to have basic knowledge on Botany and Genetics. Is also useful for the student to know the use of the main tools of a Cyogentetic laboratory such as microscope and stereomicroscope.
- Teaching methods
- Theoretical lessons and practical training.
- Other information
- Conoscenza della lingua inglese.
- Learning verification modality
- The oral test consists on an interview of 30-40 min aiming to ascertain the knowledge level on Cytogenetics and biodiversity and the capability of the student to debate on connections between chromosomes and evolutionary processes. Great importance will be given to the ability of the student to treat scientific topics using appropriate language.
- Extended program
- Relationships between biodiversity and evolution. The role of Cytogenetics for evolutionary studies. The genome structure. C-value and genome size. Type of DNA repeats. Satellite DNA. Structure and function of the eukaryotic chromosome. Banding techniques. The role of meiotic mutants in plant evolution. The sex chromosomes. Numerical variants of chromosomes. Polyploidy and dysploidy. Application of in situ hybridization techniques: FISH and GISH. The molecular cytogenetics for the study of biodiversity, phylogenesis and evolution. The origins of the agriculture. Plant domestication. The concept of Vavilov of centres of origin of cultivated plants. Biodiversity conservation strategies.