The basics of botany 2600-S1-CM-PBOT

The course is delivered in the form of lectures and covers the following topics:
1. Subject and Main Branches of Botany – The role of plants and the significance of botany. Understanding medicinal plants from a botanical perspective.
2. Chemical Composition of Plant Cells – Organic and inorganic compounds, macro- and microelements, differences between dry matter and ash content.
3. Primary and Secondary Metabolism – Structural and storage substances and secondary metabolites.
4. Evolution of Body Structure – Prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, levels of organization, unicellular and multicellular forms, thallophytes, and cormophytes.
5. Principles of Botanical Nomenclature and Taxonomic Classification Criteria – Classification of the plant kingdom.
6. Taxonomic Overview of Medicinal Plants – Focusing on pharmacopoeial species.
7. Structure of Plant Cells – Plant cell components' characteristics, structure, and function (plasmatic and non-plasmatic elements). The role of the symplast and apoplast.
8. Classification and Structure of Plant Tissues – Tissue systems: meristematic (growth tissues), protective, parenchymatic, mechanical (supportive), and vascular tissues.
9. Morphological and Anatomical Characteristics of Plants – Covering angiosperms (monocots and dicots), gymnosperms, ferns, and bryophytes. Diagnostic elements of medicinal plants and plant raw materials, including morphology, anatomy, and histochemistry of roots, stems, leaves, buds, flowers, inflorescences, and fruits.

Total student workload

Hours completed with teacher participation (20 hours, 1 ECTS): - participation in lectures – 10 hours - participation in laboratories – 10 hours Time dedicated to individual student work (10 hours): - preparation for assessment – 5 hours - preparation for laboratory classes – 5 hours Total: 30 hours (1 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

The student: - lists species rich in specific chemical compounds used by humans, - describes the morphological and anatomical characteristics of plants that provide selected raw materials (using specialized botanical terminology) and materials used in pharmacy, - explains the relationship between structure and function of individual plant organs, - knows research methods used in systematics and in the search for new species and varieties of medicinal plants.

Learning outcomes - skills

The student: - identifies and describes the structural components of plant cells, tissues, and organs, and recognizes plants based on morphological and anatomical features, - determines species and organs rich in specific compounds, - applies research methods used in systematics and in the search for new species and varieties of medicinal plants.

Learning outcomes - social competencies

The student: - updates their knowledge about medicinal plants, - has a well-established interest in nature, particularly medicinal plants, and a pro-ecological attitude, - critically evaluates their own knowledge and work results.

Course coordinators

Adriana Szmidt-Jaworska

Teaching methods

Expository teaching methods: - informative lectures with multimedia presentations, supported by demonstrations of teaching materials related to the lecture topics.

Expository teaching methods

- informative (conventional) lecture

Exploratory teaching methods

- practical
- laboratory

Type of course

compulsory course

Prerequisites

Assessment criteria

Students in laboratory sessions will be assessed based on:
- attendance
- completion of worksheets

Students in lectures will be assessed based on:
- attendance
- final assessment

Assessment Criteria:
Attendance at both lectures and laboratory sessions is mandatory. The content covered in lectures is assessed through theoretical examinations. During laboratory sessions, students work with their own materials based on worksheets provided, in consultation with the instructor. To pass the laboratory sessions, students must complete and submit the worksheets.

Grading Scale:
Fail: <55%
Satisfactory: 55–70%
Satisfactory Plus: 71–79%
Good: 80–89%
Good Plus: 90–95%
Very Good: 96–100%

Practical placement

Not applicable

Bibliography

Basic literature
Broda B. Zarys botaniki farmaceutycznej.
Kopcewicz J, Szmidt-Jaworska A, Kannenberg K. Zarys struktury i fizjologii drzew leśnych
Szweykowscy A.J. Botanika
Strasburger E. Botanika

Supplemetary literature
Rutkowski L. Klucz do oznaczania roślin naczyniowych Polski niżowej
Broda B, Mowszowicz J. Przewodnik do oznaczania roślin leczniczych, trujących i użytkowych
Van Wyk B.E., Wink M. Rośliny lecznicze świata

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2600-S1-CM-PBOT in USOSweb