| Learning Outcomes of the course unit | By the end of the course, the students should be able to:- Identify plant construction and function.
- Recognise the role and function of each plant organ.
- State the contribution of the plant world to mankind from various viewpoints.
- Distinguish the morphology and physiology of plants that can be used in pure pharmaceutical subjects related to Botany, like Pharmacognosy.
- Analyse plants and funguses.
- Identify plants.
- State phytogeography, plant distribution in Cyprus and worldwide.
|
| Course Contents | · Introduction to Pharmacognosy (the plant-oriented pharmaceutical science).
· Plant characteristics. Typical plant cell. Plant tissues, organs. Plant reproduction. Plant morphology. Anatomy and function of plant cell and organism. Important plant constituents and products. Phylogenetics and Systematics in Botany. Official botanical plant names. Basis and basic units in plant classification. Taxonomical hierarchy. Essential characteristics of plant groups and, in particular, plant families of importance to man as food, drugs, etc. Plant identification. Chemotaxonomy. Indigenous plants of Cyprus. Cyprus flora and biodiversity - specificities, characteristics and protection.
· Plants, man and environment. Significance of plants for mankind. Plants as sources of food, row materials, energy, drugs, perfumes and cosmetics. Contribution of plants to economy, life, mood and happiness of humanity. Cultivation and taming of plants. Mutation of economic plants: advantages and risks. Plant cultivation. Elements of phycology and marine plants.
· Tutorial on external plant morphology and on Cyprus flora.
Laboratory work: Microscopic examination of plant cell, Microscopic construction of plant organs (e.g. leaf, stem, fruit, grain), Microscopic examination of stored plant substances and constituents (e.g. starch, oils, tannins, pigments), Extraction and separation of chlorophylls and xanthophylls, Plant organs important for plant classification and organisation, Identification of dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants, Identification of fungi, algae and marine plants, Field work. |
