BIOL1102 Functional Biology

2000/2001

Dr. L. Ramsden

Plant Physiology, 6 lectures

Course Synopsis

Cytology Practical

Examinations

Physiology Practicals

Class Group Lists

References

Questions & Answers

COURSE SYNOPSIS

PHOTOSYNTHESIS Light trapping pigments, chlorophyll, action spectra, accessory pigments, light harvesting complexes, photo reaction centres, P700, P680, PSI, PSII, electron transport (but not details of transfer molecules), Z scheme, overall stoichiometry, photophosphorylation, cyclic photophosphorylation. C3 metabolism, the Calvin cycle, Rubisco, Carbon fixation (other cycle reactions are not covered), overall stoichiometry. Photorespiration, oxidation of RuBP, production of glycollate, evolution of photosynthesis. C4 metabolism, Pepco, CO2 concentration, elimination of photorespiration, malate & aspartate types, distribution of PSI & PSII, C4 anatomy, mesophyll & bundle sheath cells, efficiency at high temperatures, limited gas exchange, species distribution. CAM metabolism, diurnal variations, adaptation to aridity, comparison of 3 types. We do not go into any further details of carbon metabolism beyond carbon fixation and a few intermediates of cycles.

PLANT NUTRITION AND SOILS Properties of water, water relations, water potentials. Inorganic nutrients, relative importance of micro and macro nutrients, requirements of the plant, availability in the environment, use of fertilizers. Soil structures, chemicals found in soils, physical soil types, cation exchange, nutrient mobility, root types, mycorrhiza, water in soil, field capacities. Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen cycle, symbioses with bacteria, legumes and azolla.

TRANSPORT Transpiration, leaf architecture, stomatal control, water transport, cohesion/tension theory, cavitation, water uptake by roots. Translocation, pressure-flow hypothesis, phloem loading, phloem unloading, source-sink relationships, assimilate partitioning.

REFERENCES

The Biology of Plants, by Raven, Everts & Eichorn, 6th Edition, 1999. Worth. This is the primary text book for this course and covers all the material you need. It is recommended that you obtain a copy of this book which will provide you with a very valuable reference for other courses in this year and those to come.

The new edition of Biology of the Plants is some 250 pages longer than the 5th edtn and incorporates 3 new chapters on reproduction and gene expression. Additionally many of the images have been improved and there are some additions to the text. The 5th edition is still perfectly usuable, ( indeed, I can still use the 3rd edition which I had as a student!). In chapter 7 on photosynthesis the only additions are some new figures depicting the light harvesting complex and various cycles, and the section on the Calvin cycle and photorespiration has been expanded. This makes the information easier to understand but the information contained in the 5th edition is still 100% correct! our understanding of the fundamentals of photosynthesis has not been revised recently.To summarise, the main benefit of the new edition is better illustrations, some improved explanations and also a lower price than the old edition!

Botany by J.D. Mauseth. Not so good, only use if you can't get Raven, Everts & Eichorn.

Introduction to Plant Physiology by W.G. Hopkins. More detail than you need but useful if you are interested and select relevant topics. Lecture Notes on Photosynthesis 2 copies available on 2 hour loan from the RBR for you to copy.