University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2010-2011Last update : 11/04/2011
BOTA0320-1  Botanical introduction to pharmacognosy, partim A: notions of systematics
Duration :  15h Th, 15h Pr
Credits/ECTS :  
Bachelor in pharmaceutical sciences, 2nd yearSecond semester3
Holder(s) :  Gabriel Castillo Cabello
Language :  French language
Course contents :  2 h are dedicated to algae (evolutionary aspects, practical importance of their mucilage and toxic blooms).

90 minutes are dedicated to Bryophyta and Pteridophyta (origin and diversification of higher plants, toxic ferns).

90 minutes are dedicated to Gymnosperms and to the origin of wood and seeds.

The remainder of the course (10h) is dedicated to the Angiosperms with a short introduction to their morphology and anatomy (mainly during the practical exercises), followed by the presentation of the main families, with a focus on those whith plants presenting high concentrations of pharmacologically active compounds.
Course objective :  This course prepares students for the 3rd year pharmacognosy course by introducing them to the principal characteristics of the vegetal world and by presenting the scientifically and economically essential groups. The focus is on the higher plants relevant for the pharmacist, because of their toxicity or therapeutic use. It should be noted that fungi will be presented in the part B of the course.
Prerequisites :  1st year biology concepts.
Workshops :  The exercises allow the students to get acquainted with organography and anatomy in preparation of the 3rd year course. They also teach determination with a flora and recognition of the main toxic plants regarding which the pharmacist may be queried.
Organization :  Lectures (theory):
Wednesday from 8.45 to 12.00 pm - Ancien Institut de Botanique (MLE), rue Fusch, 3 - 4000 Liège ("Rotonde classée", facing rue Courtois). The first course takes place on the first Wednesday after the beginning of the 2nd quadrimester.
1. Introduction. Algae.
2. End of algae, beginning of Bryophytes.
3. Bryophytes and Pteridophytes, origin of Gymnosperms.
4. Gymnosperms, origin of Angiosperms.
5 to 10. Angiosperms. Practical Exercises:
Wednesday from 2.00 to 4.00 pm - Ancien Institut de Botanique (MLE), rue Fusch, 3 - 4000 Liège ("Rotonde classée", facing rue Courtois). The first session takes place on the first Wednesday after the beginning of the second quadrimester. 1. Stem anatomy.
2. Root and stem (end) anatomy.
3. Leaf anatomy.
4. Epiderms (hairs and stomates) and secretory system.
5. Fruits.
6. Determination with the flora and visit of the medicinal plant garden.
7. Determination with the flora and visit of the medicinal plant garden.
8. Determination with the flora and visit of the medicinal plant garden.
Signing up for the exercises is done at the first session. Bring 5 euros. Advice as to the acquisition of drawing materials and a hand lens will be provided during the course.
NB.: Works at the MLE may make necessary a change of location for the course. This would be announced to the student delegate in due time.
Written notes :  Notes are available on WebCT.
It is essential to own a copy of Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du G.-D. de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines, by J. Lambinon and others., ed.5, 2004. Eléments d'organographie des Angiospermes, 1969, by J. Lambinon is useful.
These books can be bought during lab sessions (approx. 40 euros for the first book, approx. 3 euros for the second one).
Assessment :  Oral exam (50% of the final grade) and a two-part exam on the practical exercises: anatomy (20% of the final grade) and using flora (20% of the final grade). The grade average for exercises during the year represents 10% of the final grade. Nevertheless, to pass, the students will need to obtain at least 8/20 for oral exam.
The oral exam includes among others the on sight recognition of toxic plants on slides and the recognition of the following families on living plants : Ranunculaceae, Polygonaceae, Malvaceae, Cruciferae, Rosaceae, Papilionaceae, Umbelliferae, Labiatae, Compositae.

In case a student needs to present the exam a second time, all parts for which he/she did not get at least 12/20 will have to be presented again.
Contacts :  Institut de Zoologie (bat : I1), quai Van Beneden. 4020 Liège. G. Castillo, Lecturer, 04.366.50.05, e-mail: G.Castillo@ulg.ac.be
D. Sirjacobs, tutor, 04.366.38.54. e-mail: d.sirjacobs@ulg.ac.be. R. Gago, technician 04/366.38.64, rgago@ulg.ac.be
Remarks :  * One or two tutoring positions for last year students.


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