Plant Biology
Code
3466
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Carla Maria Alexandre Pinheiro, José Paulo Nunes de Sousa Sampaio
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
75
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
To successfully complete this course, and by the end of the semester, students should be able to identify/describe the:
-main features of the structural organization of the plants and their implications;
-mechanisms of transport and translocation and how they are reflected in the plant-environment interactions (relevance of water relations);
-plant specific metabolic processes and regulation mechanisms (basics);
-mechanisms by which hormonal regulation occurs;
-mechanisms by which symbiotic and/or pathogenic interactions occur (molecular recognition).
Students will acquire the skills necessary to assess the complexity of the plant system and its ability to adapt.
Students should also develop the ability to analyze, solve problems or defend a case (tutorials in class - presentation and discussion of papers) by effectively performing:
-team work;
-oral and written communication;
-time management (deadlines).
Prerequisites
Defined by the responsible for the Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology.
Classes in Portuguese.
Subject matter
Lectures
Part I: Organization and Classification
• Why study plants? criteria, methodologies and evaluation
• Organization and cell morphology;
Part II: Water relations and mineral nutrition
• Absorption and transport of water, water balance
• Transport and translocation
• Mineral nutrition
Part III: Photosynthesis and Respiration (energy metabolism)
• Photosynthesis and photorespiration
• Photosynthesis and photorespiration II
• Respiration and reserve mobilization
Part IV: Growth and Development
• Growth, development and responses to stress
• Plant hormones
Theoretical and practical
-Evaluation of physiological plant performance: parameters, definitions and equipment.
-Analysis of results (I, II): group presentations
-Crop and environmental change: group presentations
Practical classes
-Water relations (relative content of water and transpiration)
-Determination of stomatal conductance and "quantum yield"
-Photosynthetic pigments: extraction & quantification
-CO2: assimilation vs release
Bibliography
Scientific papers and reference works will be used as model cases to be discussed in tutorial sessions. Some reference books or teaching resources:
• Plant Physiology by Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger (5th Edition). Sinauer Associates Inc. Publishers (2010);
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants by Bob Buchanan, Wilhelm Gruissem, Russell Jones, John Wiley & Sons (2000);
Teaching method
- Lectures: ppt presentations (content available at CLIP)
- Practicals: laboratory component
- Theoretical-practical: presentation of results obtained in practical classes; presentation and discussion of scientific papers
Evaluation method
Grading methods
• theoretical concepts knowlegde (60% of final grade), the grade obtained will be ≥ 9.5 (range 0-20)
• presence at least at 2/3 of the theoretical-practical and practical classes
• approval on the theoretical and practical (40% final grade), the grade obtained will be ≥ 9.5 (range 0-20)
• The final grade is calculated based on the weighted average grade obtained in the theoretical and practical-theoretical part (rounded to the nearest hundredth)
for students with TP approved before 2012 remain the previous weighting (75% -25%)
theoretical evaluation
• two partial tests of 90 min each (no minimum grade for testing or repeat testing)
• in the absence of a test will be considered which was rated zero (0)
• in case of failure in the continuous assessment an exam that encompasses all matter (3h) will be available (mandatory inscription at CLIP). The same provision applies to students who wish to improve their grade.
• in the examinations for grade improving, TP grade will also be considered
Theoretical-prcatical and practical assessment
• TBLs practical classes
• presentation and discussion of topics for discussion
• laboratory performance (motivation, interest, participation, etc.)