Physiology of Plant Production
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
Critical understanding of the logic of growth, cell differentiation and development of plants in relation to the main cell and organs functions: photosynthesis, oxygen consumption, mineral nutrition, imposition of stressful conditions.
Expected learning outcomes
Identification of the critical aspects of plant qualitative and quantitative production also in relation to the interaction with the environment, design of improvements by means of chemical, physical, biological actions. Tools for critical participation to the evolution of knowledge.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Course contents. Introduction to epistemiology. The scientific methods. Plant production and yeld (CFU 0,25)
The energy conversion. Photosynthetic carbon fixation: Eco-physiology of photosynthesis. Thermodynamics of photosynthesis: cost of C3, C4 and CAM plants carbon fixation. Crop yield and productivity. Physiology of productivity and carbon fixation. Role of Stomata in photosynthesis carbon assimilation. Photosynthesis and water transpiration. Photorespiration. Photo-inhibition. Carbohydrate transport and partitioning. Relationship between photosynthesis and mineral plant nutrition. (CFU 1,5)
Roles of respiration and oxygen uptake in plants. Role biosynthetic of respiration in plant. Cyanide resistant oxidases. Non mitochondrial oxygen uptakes: micro-bodies, plasma membrane, cytoplasm. Lipid use and gluconeogenesis during seed germination. (CFU 0,5)
Uptake and assimilation of mineral nutrients. Thermodynamics, kinetics and biochemical aspect of membrane transport and its role in plant physiology. Uptake of nitrogen sulfur and phosphorus. Assimilation of nitrogen, sulphur and phosphate. Integration with carbohydrate metabolism. (CFU 1,5)
Adaptations strategies. Growth and development. Morphogenesis and photo-morphogenesis. Plant growth regulators and hormones. Signal perception and transduction. Stress physiology. Role of stress in crop yield. Water deficit and stress. Stress by low and high temperature, low oxygen availability, nutritional, biotic. Tolerance mechanisms for stresses. (CFU 0,75)
Seed maturation and germination. Seed germination and metabolic reactivation of plasma-membrane ad metabolism. Natural products and natural metabolites. (CFU 0,25)
Characteristic of natural metabolites: physiological role and biosynthesis. (CFU 0,25)
Practical activities in laboratory: Photosynthesis, respiration, membrane transport. (CFU 1)
The energy conversion. Photosynthetic carbon fixation: Eco-physiology of photosynthesis. Thermodynamics of photosynthesis: cost of C3, C4 and CAM plants carbon fixation. Crop yield and productivity. Physiology of productivity and carbon fixation. Role of Stomata in photosynthesis carbon assimilation. Photosynthesis and water transpiration. Photorespiration. Photo-inhibition. Carbohydrate transport and partitioning. Relationship between photosynthesis and mineral plant nutrition. (CFU 1,5)
Roles of respiration and oxygen uptake in plants. Role biosynthetic of respiration in plant. Cyanide resistant oxidases. Non mitochondrial oxygen uptakes: micro-bodies, plasma membrane, cytoplasm. Lipid use and gluconeogenesis during seed germination. (CFU 0,5)
Uptake and assimilation of mineral nutrients. Thermodynamics, kinetics and biochemical aspect of membrane transport and its role in plant physiology. Uptake of nitrogen sulfur and phosphorus. Assimilation of nitrogen, sulphur and phosphate. Integration with carbohydrate metabolism. (CFU 1,5)
Adaptations strategies. Growth and development. Morphogenesis and photo-morphogenesis. Plant growth regulators and hormones. Signal perception and transduction. Stress physiology. Role of stress in crop yield. Water deficit and stress. Stress by low and high temperature, low oxygen availability, nutritional, biotic. Tolerance mechanisms for stresses. (CFU 0,75)
Seed maturation and germination. Seed germination and metabolic reactivation of plasma-membrane ad metabolism. Natural products and natural metabolites. (CFU 0,25)
Characteristic of natural metabolites: physiological role and biosynthesis. (CFU 0,25)
Practical activities in laboratory: Photosynthesis, respiration, membrane transport. (CFU 1)
Prerequisites for admission
Morphological and functional organization of the plant. General and inorganic chemistry: chemistry of the elements components of living organisms. Chemistry of the organic molecules components of living organisms. Physics: general knowledge of dynamics of fluids, kinetic theory of gases, thermodynamics, electric potentials and currents, electromagnetic waves. Biochemistry: general knowledge of metabolic pathways, protein biosynthesis and other molecules components of living organisms.
Teaching methods
The teaching is carried out essentially through lectures, consisting of critical illustration of slides developed by the teacher on the basis of l texts and paper published on international publications. Practical activities in laboratory are planned.
Teaching Resources
The slides illustrated and discussed in class are available on the Ariel website of the University. Scientific articles in English concerning aspects of particular interest are also provided. The following texts are suggested: - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants, BB Buchanan, W Gruissem, RL Jones, Zanichelli - Plant physiology, L Taiz E Ziegler and ital. Massimo Maffei Zanichelli
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in an oral discussion with one of the following two alternative possibilities chosen by the student:
- The exam focuses on the illustration of a presentation of one or more scientific articles concerning topics of the course and of interest and identified by the student through a search on the University's electronic libraries website, the article or articles generally in English must be agreed with the professor. During the preparation of the presentation the teacher is available for explanations, clarifications. The teacher will also ask questions regarding the program carried out during the course.
- Discussion of topics carried out in class (3 questions) in which a critical illustration is requested, identifying the general and significant aspects.
For both modalities the synthesis capacity and the critical view of the topics will be evaluated.
- The exam focuses on the illustration of a presentation of one or more scientific articles concerning topics of the course and of interest and identified by the student through a search on the University's electronic libraries website, the article or articles generally in English must be agreed with the professor. During the preparation of the presentation the teacher is available for explanations, clarifications. The teacher will also ask questions regarding the program carried out during the course.
- Discussion of topics carried out in class (3 questions) in which a critical illustration is requested, identifying the general and significant aspects.
For both modalities the synthesis capacity and the critical view of the topics will be evaluated.
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Cocucci Maurizio
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Cocucci Maurizio