Physiology of Plant Production
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The energy conversion. Structure and organization of photosynthetic complexes and molecular mechanisms involved in their regulation. Photosynthetic electron transport and synthesis of NADPH and ATP. Different photosynthetic strategies in relation to the environment: C3, C4 and CAM plants. Mechanisms of protection / response to oxidative stress operating in chloroplasts. Photoinhibition and photorespiration: their physiological meanings. Biochemical and physiological aspects involved in the synthesis of sucrose and starch. Modulation of carbohydrate metabolism. Carbon metabolism and crop yield (1.50 CFU).
Phloem transport: the source-sink relationships. Xylem transport. Physiological role of Aquaporins (1 CFU).
Thermodynamics and kinetics aspects of membrane transport. Physiological roles and regulation mechanisms of the PM H+-ATPase. Vacuole: transport activities and physiological roles (0.75 CFU).
Nitrogen: roles, uptake and assimilation pathway. Nitrogen nutrition and crop yield. Sulfur metabolism. (0.5 CFU).
Perception, translation and integration of stimuli and signals: receptors and second messengers. Responses to light. Hormones: mechanisms involved in perception and response. Factors and mechanisms of stomata control (0.5 CFU).
Dormancy and the process of germination of seeds. Mitochondrial respiration, alternative oxidase, the role of mitochondria in the response to oxidative stress (0.25 CFU).
Water and salt stress. Freezing and chilling stress. Stress induced by oxygen deficit (0.5 CFU).
Experimental approaches for plant proteomics. Laboratory activities: evaluation of biochemical and physiological parameters to evaluate responses induced under mineral nutrition deficiency. (1 CFU).
Phloem transport: the source-sink relationships. Xylem transport. Physiological role of Aquaporins (1 CFU).
Thermodynamics and kinetics aspects of membrane transport. Physiological roles and regulation mechanisms of the PM H+-ATPase. Vacuole: transport activities and physiological roles (0.75 CFU).
Nitrogen: roles, uptake and assimilation pathway. Nitrogen nutrition and crop yield. Sulfur metabolism. (0.5 CFU).
Perception, translation and integration of stimuli and signals: receptors and second messengers. Responses to light. Hormones: mechanisms involved in perception and response. Factors and mechanisms of stomata control (0.5 CFU).
Dormancy and the process of germination of seeds. Mitochondrial respiration, alternative oxidase, the role of mitochondria in the response to oxidative stress (0.25 CFU).
Water and salt stress. Freezing and chilling stress. Stress induced by oxygen deficit (0.5 CFU).
Experimental approaches for plant proteomics. Laboratory activities: evaluation of biochemical and physiological parameters to evaluate responses induced under mineral nutrition deficiency. (1 CFU).
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. Biochemistry: general knowledge of metabolic pathways, protein biosynthesis and other molecules components of living organisms. Basic concepts in plant biology.
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 & Molecular Biology of Plants - 2nd Edition. Bob B. Buchanan (Editor), Wilhelm Gruissem (Editor), Russell L. Jones (Editor). 2015. ISBN: 978-0-470-71421-8
- Plant Physiology and Development - Sixth Edition. Lincoln Taiz, Eduardo Zeiger, Ian M. Møller, and Angus Murphy. 2014. ISBN: 9781605352558
- Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology, 5nd Edition. Park S. Nobel. 2020.
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants - 2nd Edition. Bob B. Buchanan (Editor), Wilhelm Gruissem (Editor), Russell L. Jones (Editor). 2015. ISBN: 978-0-470-71421-8
- Plant Physiology and Development - Sixth Edition. Lincoln Taiz, Eduardo Zeiger, Ian M. Møller, and Angus Murphy. 2014. ISBN: 9781605352558
- Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology, 5nd Edition. Park S. Nobel. 2020.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral examination is structured in 5 open questions on different subjects of the course. Each question is evaluated with a score from 0/30 to 6/30. The overall score is given by the sum of each application ones. For the evaluation are considered different aspects, such as the accuracy of the response, the terminology used to define the process and the level of depth of the answer. Moreover, 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:
Espen Luca
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
On Fridays from 9.00 to 12.00 or by appointment.
At the office or via MS Teams.