Plant Physiology

Code:

BIOL1005

Acronym:

BIOL1005

Level:

100

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2019/2020 - 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	131	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
L:CC	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2014	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:F	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:G	11	study plan from 2017/18	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:M	1	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162
			3
L:Q	0	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

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

The frequency of this curricular unit should allow students to have the competence and ability to:

• Understand the importance of plants in the current society
• Show knowledge about the importance of water for plant growth and development;
• Explain the functions of the different transport systems in the plant and how they are regulated;
• Explain how plants sense and respond to changes in light quality and quantity;
• 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;
• Know the main abiotic stress factors to which the palnts are exposed;
• Understand the potential of plant biotechnology, its uses, and applications.

Working method

Presencial

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

n.a.

Program

Water balance of plants. Cell water potential and its components, osmotic behavior of plant cells. Water in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Mechanisms of control of stomatal opening.Translocation in phloem: Mechanism of pressure flow in the phloem. 

Photomorphogenesis mediated by red and blue lights. Phytochrome: properties and ecological functions. Plant adaptation to changes in light quality and regulation of seed germination. Blue-light responses and photoreceptors.

Mineral nutrients. Essential nutrients. Classification of mineral nutrients. Nutrient solutions and cultures without soil. Relationship between function, nutrient mobility and nutrient deficiency symptoms. Histochemical and biochemical methods for the diagnosis of nutritional deficiencies.

Plant growth and development, and internal and environmental signals. Plant hormones; concept and perception. Auxin; Gibberellins (GAs); Cytokinins; Ethylene; Abscisic acid (ABA); Brassinosteroids (BRs); Strigolactones. Physiological effects and practical applications.

Flowering physiology. Concept and the influence of the environmental factors.

In vitro plant cell cultures. Use of in vitro cell culture for micropropagation. Other applications of plant cell cultures.

Plant responses and adaptations to abiotic stresses and factors that determine those responses. Stress response mechanisms.
Stress and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Mandatory literature

Taiz Lincoln; Plant physiology. ISBN: 9780878935659
Buchanan Bob B. 340; Biochemistry & molecular biology of plants. ISBN: 978-0-470-71421-8

Complementary Bibliography

Taiz Lincoln 340; Plant physiology and development. ISBN: 9781605352558

Teaching methods and learning activities

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

The scheduling of practical classes, as well as the set of procedures for laboratory work, are available to students on the CU web page.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	92,00
Trabalho laboratorial	8,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	100,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

It is mandatory to attend the practical classes - minimum 2/3.

Calculation formula of final grade

For their evaluation, students must choose between final examination OR distributed evaluation:

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

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

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

Final Grading - [2T+(TP+AP)]/3


II.  Distributed evaluation

- 2 Written theoretical evaluations (FT1 and FT2), each 20 points.
- Written laboratory work exam (TP), 16 points
- Presentation and discussion of lab work during practical classes (AP), 4 points.

- Final Grade - [2(average value of FT1+FT2)+(TP+AP)]/3

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

The FT1 will take place in the middle of the semester and the FT2 in the date of the exam, during the normal exams season.

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

To improve the final grade the student needs to request a new final exam, in accordance with current legislation on the subject.

Observations

Coordinating Professor - Fernanda Fidalgo