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| BOTA0402-1 | Marine plant biology
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| Duration : | 15h Th, 15h Pr, 3d FW |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
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| Holder(s) : | Vincent Demoulin |
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| Language : | Langue française |
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| Course contents : | A first lecture deals with biochemical and ultrastructural characters whose variation among major groups of algae makes that those organisms, of often simple morphology, display a much greater diversity of cellular organisation than animals or higher plants. two lectures are devoted to blue-green algae, whose procaryotic structure places in a peculiar position ("cyanobacteria"), but whose ecological role is similar to that of other algae. Main themes: place in precambrian and present ecosystems, nitrogen fixation, toxins. Three lectures are devoted to eucaryotic algae, mainly the red, brown and greens. The main groups of planctonic algae (dinoflagellates, diatoms...) are presented in an evolutionary perspective in relation to benthic algae but the emphasis is on the latter (see the planctonology course for the others). Main themes: evolution of eucaryotes (origin, gain or loss of plastids, origin of higher plants), eological and economical( mucilages) role of benthic algae.
One lecture is devoted to marine phanerogams (seagrasses) and one to marine fungi and lichens. Finally two course present the benthic vegetation of european coasts as well as that of some other temperate and tropical regions. |
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| Course objective : | The aim of the course is to make students familiar with the main groups of marine plants (algae, fungi, lichens and phanerogams) which present an interest for marine biology. They can interest the oceanographer either through the peculiarities of their morphology, ultrastructure or biochemistry, or their ecological role, phylogenetic position or economical importance. Emphasis is mostly on the ecological role of benthic algae and the end of the course presents the benthic vegetation of european coasts as well as that of some other regions of the world. |
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| Prerequisites : | A minimal knowledge of general biology. |
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| Workshops : | According to the interest of the students, practical courses can consist in laboratory work in Liège, dealing with microscopical structure of marine algae, culture attempts or biochemical or molecular biological work. They can also be combined with the field stay. In this case the emphasis is on microscopical examination and determination of algae. The field course is devoted to the study of benthic vegetation, eventually with scuba diving if it is organised in Stareso (Calvi, Corsica). It also allows to get used to the literature for determination of macroalgae and how to observe them. |
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| Organization : | Lectures are held in one of the small lecture rooms of the Botanical Institute, B.22 (Sart Tilman Campus) with a schedule to be arranged with the students. The field stay is also to be agreed: either a three days stay in Wimereux (near Boulogne) or a stay in Stareso (Calvi, Corsica), usually before or after the 1st year oceanography field course. It can also consist in accompanying the second year of biology field course in St Malo (Brittany). |
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| Written notes : | Photocopies of synopsis, tables and illustrations.
Various books are presented for the information of the students interested by additional data, or so as to be aware of sources of documentation for the future, but their consultation is not necessary for following the course. |
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| Assessment : | Oral examination. |
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| Contacts : | Teacher: V. Demoulin, professeur ordinaire.
Institut de Botanique, B.22 (P.70) in the Sart Tilman campus.
Phone: 04/366.38.53, without answer, leave a message after 8 ringing;
e-mail: V.Demoulin@ulg.ac.be |
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| Remarks : | The course can be adapted to the previous formation and special interest of students. |
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