Physiology of Plant Production

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. Protective and stress response mechanisms against oxidative stress in chloroplasts. Photoinhibition, photorespiration, and their physiological significance. Biochemical and physiological aspects involved in the synthesis of sucrose and starch. Mechanisms involved in the modulation of carbohydrate metabolism. Carbon metabolism and productivity capacity (1.50 CFU).
Phloem transport: source-sink relationships. Xylem transport. Physiological role of aquaporins (1 CFU).
Membrane transport: thermodynamic and kinetic considerations. The proton pump: physiological roles and regulatory mechanisms. Vacuole: transport activity and physiological role (0.75 CFU).
Nitrogen: role and processes involved in its uptake and assimilation. Nitrogen nutrition in relation to productivity capacity. Sulfur metabolism (0.50 CFU).
Perception, transduction, and integration of stimuli and signals: receptors and second messengers. Light responses. Hormones: mechanisms involved in perception and response. Factors and mechanisms controlling stomatal function (0.50 cfu).
Seed dormancy and the germination process. Mitochondrial respiration, alternative oxidase, and the role of mitochondria in oxidative stress response (0.25 CFU).
Stress physiology. Water and salt stress. Thermal stress: high and low temperatures. Stress induced by oxygen deficiency (0.5 CFU).
Laboratory sessions: experimental approaches for proteome analysis. Determination of biochemical and physiological parameters to evaluate response strategies to nutrient deficiencies (1 CFU).