Plant Anatomy and Physiology

Code:

B211

Acronym:

B211

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2015/2016 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	177	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	2	-	7,5	60	202,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The basic objective of the course is to make the student understand how the anatomy is associated with the plant function. Anatomical characteristics associated with evolution will be focused as well the identification of specific structures with particular function. Plants are complex organisms and the course will focus on physiological aspects that make them unique organisms. The course will especially focus on the biochemical and the molecular mechanisms underlying plant growth and development. How plants interact with physical conditions of their environment will be a matter to explore too.

Learning outcomes and competences

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Show knowledge of plant anatomy and plant physiology;
• Be able to examine microscopic slides and identify plant material;
• Explain how plants continue to develop and differentiate by persistent meristem activity;
• Explain the functions of the different transport systems in the plant and how they are regulated;
• Show knowledge of the plants needs of minerals, water, carbon dioxide, temperature, and light;
• Recognize the essential elements for plant growth, mobility, function and deficiency symptoms;
• Show knowledge of the different plant hormones and their importance as growth factors and for adaptations to stress and seasonal changes
• Explain how plants sense and respond to changes in the environment.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

n.a.

Program

Characteristics and classification of tissues. Differentiation of meristematic tissue. Dermal tissue system, fundamental or ground tissue and vascular system. Fibers of economic importance. Specialized conducting tissues - xylem and phloem. Phloem structure and translocation. Minor leaf veins and phloem loading and unloading. Kranz anatomy and C4 photosynthesis. Xylem structure and water movement. Secondary wall thickenings and pits. Tissue organization in roots, stems and leaves. Origin and development of secondary growth.  Secondary growth in arborescent monocotyledons.  Water balance of plants. Cell water potential and its components, osmotic behavior of plant cells. Roots, stems and leaves structurally adapted to different habitat moisture.  Main driving forces for water flow throughout the plant. Effect of environmental factors on leaf transpiration – mechanisms of control of stomatal opening. Water in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.  Translocation in phloem: concept of source and sink. Mechanism of pressure flow in phloem. Phloem loading and unloading.
Photomorphogenesis mediated by red light. Phytochrome: properties and ecological functions. Plant adaptation to changes in light quality and regulation of seed germination. Blue-light responses: photoptropism, inhibition of stem elongation and stimulation of stomatal opening. Blue-light photoreceptors: cryptochromes, phototropins and zeaxanthin.
Mineral nutrients. Essential nutrients. Classification of mineral nutrients according to their relative concentration in plant tissue and according to biochemical function. Nutrient solutions and cultures without soil. Relationship between function, nutrient mobility and and nutrient deficiency symptoms. Histochemical and biochemical methods for diagnosis of nutritional deficiencies.
Plant growth and development, and internal and environmental signals. Plant hormones; concept and perception. Auxin: the emergence of the auxin concept and chemical identity. Natural and synthetic auxins. Biosynthesis and transport of IAA. Physiological effects of auxin. Main practical applications. Gibberellins (GAs); the discovery of the GAs and chemical identity. Regulation of GAs biosynthesis. Physiological effects of GAs and action mechanisms. GAs signal transduction in cereal aleurone layers. Main commercial applications. Cytokinins: the discovery and identification; free and bound forms of cytokinins; biosynthesis and transport. The biological roles of cytokinins. Main commercial applications. Ethylene: discovery, structure and biosynthesis. Regulation of ethylene biosynthesis. Physiological effects of ethylene and mechanism of action. Main commercial applications of ethylene. Abscisic acid (ABA): discovery, chemical structure, biosynthesis and transport. Variable concentration of ABA throughout seed development and in response to environmental stress. Physiological effects of ABA. Transduction pathway of ABA in stomatal guard cells. Brassinosteroids (BRs): discovery, occurrence, biosynthesis and transport. Main physiological effects of BRs. Role of BRs in plant protection from abiotic and biotic stresses. Prospective uses of BR in agriculture.
Plant physiological responses and adaptations to abiotic stresses and factors that determine those responses. Adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. Stress and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Symptoms of oxidative damage. Antioxidant defense system: enzymatic and nonenzymatic.

Mandatory literature

Dickison, William C.; Integrative Plant Anatomy, Academic Press, 2000. ISBN: 0-12-215170-4
000103971. ISBN: 978-0-87893-866-7
Mauseth, James D.; Plant Anatomy, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc. , 1988. ISBN: 0-8053-4570-1
Fahn, A.; Plant Anatomy, Pergamon Press, 1982. ISBN: 0-08-028029-3

Complementary Bibliography

Bowes, Bryan G.; A Colour Atlas of Plant Structure, Manson Publishing Ltd, 1996. ISBN: 1-874545-16-2
000102099
000072345. ISBN: 0-943088-39-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Expository lectures with interrogation, supported on slide projections. Practical classes provide the specific skills, including those resulting from the application of laboratory works.

For further information, please, refer to the web page.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	80,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	40,00
Frequência das aulas	40,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

.

Calculation formula of final grade

For evaluation students must choose between Final examination OR distributed evaluation

I. Final Examination (All theoretical subjects and Pratical laboratory work)

- Written theoretical exam (T), 20 points;
- Written laboratory work exam (TP), 16 points

- Presentation and discussion of a laboratory work (A), 4 points

Final Grading - [2T+(TP+A)]/3


II.  Distributed evaluation

- 2 Written theoretical evaluations (FT1 and FT2), each 10 val. 
- 2 Written evaluations of lab work (FTP1 and FTP2), each 8 val. 
- Presentation and discussion of a lab work during practical classes (A), 4 points

- Final Grade - [2(FT1+FT2)+(FTP1+FTP2+A)]/3

Minimum Grades - T component, 8 points
                            TP component, 6.5 points.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Presentation and discussion of a lab work, graded to 4,0 points.

Internship work/project

.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

.

Classification improvement

.

Observations

.