Plant Physiology

Code:

BIOL1010

Acronym:

BIOL1010

Level:

100

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:BQ	107	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The Curricular Unit (UC) Plant Physiology has as main objective to give knowledge of the main aspects of the physiology of higher plants, especially the biochemical and molecular processes involved in their growth and development. It is also the objective of this UC that the student understands how plants interact with the environment. The practical component of the UC provides students with contact with techniques used for the study of physiological processes.

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;
• Understand general notions of plant structure and development;
• 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;
• Recognize the main abiotic stress factors to which the plants are exposed;
• Understand the processes involved in flowering;
• Understand how plants respond to biotic stresses, such as pathogens, herbivores and parasitic plants;
• Recognize the potential of plant biotechnology.

Working method

Presencial

Program

• Understanding of the importance of study plants in the global world.


• Brief notions of plant structure and development


• Water balance of plants. Cell water potential and osmotic behaviour of plant cells.


• 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.


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


• Mineral nutrition. Definition and classification of nutrients. Cultures without soil. Relationship between function, nutrient mobility and nutrient deficiency symptoms. Histochemical and biochemical methods for the diagnosis of nutritional deficiencies. Availability and movement of nutrients in the soil. Uptake and transport of nutrients in the root and plant.


• Plant growth and development and internal and environmental signals. Hormones as signs of development: auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene, abscisic acid, brassinosteroids and strigolactones. Other signal molecules: jasmonates and salicylic acid.


• Plant responses to biotic stresses: pathogens, herbivores and parasitic plants.


• Plant responses to abiotic stresses and factors that determine those responses.


• In vitro plant cell cultures. Applications of plant biotechnology.

 

Mandatory literature

Taiz Lincoln 340; Plant physiology and development. ISBN: 9781605352558
Lincoln Taiz; Plant physiology and development. ISBN: 9780197577240

Complementary Bibliography

Buchanan Bob B. 340; Biochemistry & molecular biology of plants. ISBN: 9780470714218
Taiz Lincoln; Plant physiology. ISBN: 9780878935659
Raven Peter H.; Biology of plants. ISBN: 978-1-57259-041-0

Comments from the literature

The recommended bibliography is available at the FCUP Central library (ed. FC1). Complementary elements of study will also be made available by the teachers of the curricular unit.

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.

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

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	93,00
Trabalho laboratorial	7,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	112,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	2,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

It is mandatory to attend the practical classes (minimum attendance to 75% of classes).

Working students are not required to attend practical classes but will have to take a complementary practical exam in order to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills required at the UC.

Calculation formula of final grade

For their evaluation, students must choose between:
I. Final examination OR II. 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

Minimum Grades - T component - 8 points
                          TP component - 6.5 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 - theoretical evaluations (FT1 and FT2) - 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 of the curricular unit, during the normal exams season.

The approval is obtained with a final grade in the curricular unit of 9.5/20 points

Examinations or Special Assignments

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

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

If working students do not attend practical classes, they will have to take a complementary practical exame in order to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills required at the UC.

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