The aim of the course is for students to become familiar with the anatomical structure of plant organs of medicinal and food plants, and to learn the structural basis of their medicinal and nutritional properties. The aim of the practical part of the course is to train students for work in an anatomical laboratory and to provide them with hands-on experience in sectioning and microscopy of plant organs.

Through a series of online lectures, students will gain fundamental theoretical knowledge of plant anatomy, with a focus on the structural features of medicinal and food plants. Special emphasis will be placed on secretory tissues, which produce medicinally important substances, and parenchyma tissues, which store food and nutrients and photosynthesize. Individual assignments will provide students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to problem-based tasks.

Following the theoretical component, students will participate in a two-day on-site workshop. At the Laboratory of Plant Anatomy, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, they will gain hands-on experience in plant organ sectioning, microtomy, and light microscopy. This practical training will enhance their understanding of the structural characteristics of medicinal and food plants, while also enhancing their skills in plant anatomy laboratory.

Number of ECTS: 4

Course syllabus

Course program

Course content

Lectures:

• Root anatomy. Anatomy of storage roots and underground metamorphosed shoots of food plants.


• Stem anatomy. Wood anatomy and its relation to tree vigor and fruit tree productivity.


• Leaf anatomy. Anatomy of medicinal plant leaves, including types and distribution of secretory tissues.


• Fruit and seed anatomy of medicinal and food plants.


• Structural adaptations of plant organs in relation to their function and medicinal properties.

Practical work (On-site, Laboratory of Plant Anatomy, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad):

• Learning techniques of sectioning and microtomy of different plant organs.


• Training in light microscopy techniques.


• Observing and analyzing microscopic sections of various plant organs from medicinal and food plants.


• Identifying different plant tissues and conducting comparative analysis of organ structures.

Student assignments:

• Individual problem-based tasks, applying theoretical knowledge.


• Presentation of findings, group discussion and evaluation of student work.

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