Reproductive Strategies
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course will focus on sexual and asexual reproduction in land plants. In particular, the students will acquire competence on the genetics mechanism controlling reproductive strategies in Angiosperm. In particular, sex determination, self-incompatibility and fertilization control in Angiosperm will be discussed.
The course will also provide information on the diversity and evolution of reproductive strategies of animals, focusing on sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction, and on alternative mechanisms of sexual reproduction (meta-sexuality). This will allow students to obtain competences on the complex interactions between breeding strategies and evolutionary dynamics. The course will also provide information on the evolution of complex breeding cycles, on alternative mechanisms of sex determination, and on the evolution of viviparity with a special focus on vertebrates.
The course will also provide information on the diversity and evolution of reproductive strategies of animals, focusing on sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction, and on alternative mechanisms of sexual reproduction (meta-sexuality). This will allow students to obtain competences on the complex interactions between breeding strategies and evolutionary dynamics. The course will also provide information on the evolution of complex breeding cycles, on alternative mechanisms of sex determination, and on the evolution of viviparity with a special focus on vertebrates.
Expected learning outcomes
For animal reproduction, students will be able to identify the major pros and cons of sexual and asexual reproduction, to discuss the mechanisms leading to the evolution of different strategies, and to identify the evolutionary and ecological impact of these processes in animals and plants.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Plant reproduction
The course will be focused on the male and female reproductive organ development. In particular, the formation of the gametophytes
and gametes in Angiosperm will be studied.
Furthermore the fertilization process will be studied at cellular and molecular level.
The reproductive strategy adapted by Angiosperm to avoid self fertilization will be presented and discussed.
Finally alternative reproductive strategies such as apomixis and vegetative reproduction will be discussed
Animal reproduction
Sexual and asexual reproduction in animals: advantages and drawbacks. Alternative reproductive strategies: parthenogenesis,
hybridogenesis, unisexual species, meta-sexual reproduction. Evolution without mating.
Environmental and genetic sex determination.
Complex life cycles and breeding strategies. Evolution of sterile workers in eusocial species. Evolutionary processes beyond the
complex life cycles: larval stages, paedomorphosis, transition from indirect to direct development in vertebrates.
Oviparity and viviparity. Transition from oviparity to viviparity in vertebrates. Evolution of viviparity in mammals.
Furthermore the fertilization process will be studied at cellular and molecular level.
The course will be focused on the male and female reproductive organ development. In particular, the formation of the gametophytes
and gametes in Angiosperm will be studied.
Furthermore the fertilization process will be studied at cellular and molecular level.
The reproductive strategy adapted by Angiosperm to avoid self fertilization will be presented and discussed.
Finally alternative reproductive strategies such as apomixis and vegetative reproduction will be discussed
Animal reproduction
Sexual and asexual reproduction in animals: advantages and drawbacks. Alternative reproductive strategies: parthenogenesis,
hybridogenesis, unisexual species, meta-sexual reproduction. Evolution without mating.
Environmental and genetic sex determination.
Complex life cycles and breeding strategies. Evolution of sterile workers in eusocial species. Evolutionary processes beyond the
complex life cycles: larval stages, paedomorphosis, transition from indirect to direct development in vertebrates.
Oviparity and viviparity. Transition from oviparity to viviparity in vertebrates. Evolution of viviparity in mammals.
Furthermore the fertilization process will be studied at cellular and molecular level.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic knowledge of animal and plant biology is suggested as well as basic knowledge of genetic and molecular biology.
Teaching methods
The subject will be presented by power point presentation. Furthermore articles or/and reviews on specific topics will be provided and discussed with the students. Occasionally, national or international experts will be invited.
Teaching Resources
The material needed to prepare the examination will be available on Ariel and during the lessons.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination will be based on oral discussion and on written questions.
BIO/01 - GENERAL BOTANY
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY
BIO/06 - COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND CYTOLOGY
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY
BIO/06 - COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND CYTOLOGY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Colombo Lucia, Ficetola Gentile Francesco
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