Plant Ecophysiology

Code:

BIOL2010

Acronym:

BIOL2010

Level:

200

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:AP	60	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The Curricular Unit (UC) Plant Ecophysiology 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;
• 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;
• Recognize the potential of plant biotechnology;
• Know how photosynthesis takes place;
• To understand the changes that occur in a seed during germination and to recognize the importance of the dormancy process;
• Understand the process of leaf senescence.

Working method

Presencial

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

Not applicable

Program

- Understanding of the importance of plants in the global world.

- 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.

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

- Mineral nutrients. Essential nutrients. Classification of mineral nutrients. Cultures without soil. 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 the plant. Mycorrhizae and their importance in plant nutrition.

- Plant growth and development and internal and environmental signals. Hormones as signs of development: auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene, abscisic acid, brassinosteroids and strigolactones. 

- Plant responses to several abiotic stresses and factors that determine those responses. 

- In vitro plant cell cultures and main applications of plant biotechnology.

- Photosynthesis: what it is, its function, the steps that compose it, and its importance.

- Most common methodologies for the genetic transformation of higher plants.

- Foliar senescence physiology.

Mandatory literature

Taiz Lincoln; Plant physiology. ISBN: 9780878935659
Buchanan Bob B. 340; Biochemistry & molecular biology of plants. ISBN: 978-0-470-71421-8
Lincoln Taiz; Plant physiology and development. ISBN: 978-0-19-757724-0

Complementary Bibliography

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

Comments from the literature

The recommended bibliography is available in the Central library (ed. FC1) of FCUP. 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).

To obtain attendance, it is mandatory to present and discuss the results of a laboratory work conducted during practical classes (see the formula for calculating the final grade)

Working students: execution of 2/3 of the practical assignments. 
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.

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 the results of a laboratory work conducted during practical classes (PP), 4 points.


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


Final Grading - [2T+(TP+PP)]/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 the results of a laboratory work conducted during practical classes (PP), 4 points.

- Final Grade - [(FT1+FT2)+(TP+PP)]/3

Minimum Grades - theoretical evaluations (FT1 and FT2) - 8 points each
                          TP component - 6.5 points.

The FT1 will take place in the middle of the semester and the FT2 on the date of the exam of the curricular unit, during the regular exam period.

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

Internship work/project

Not applicable

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

It is possible to improve the grade obtained in the final exam.

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

Observations

Coordinating Professor - Fernanda Fidalgo

Curricular Unit Jury - Fernanda Fidalgo e Jorge Teixeira