PPH-20306 Growth, Development and Reproduction of Plants

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Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

CBI-10306 (Cell Biology); PCB-10306 (Structure and Physiology of Plants)

Contents:

Focus is on the basic principles of plant development, both of vegetative and generative structures. Basal principles of regulation of growth and development by plant hormones and light (photomorphogenesis) will be discussed. Structural and physiological aspects of the regulation of flower induction, flower development, fertilization and embryogenesis, seed and fruit development, seed and bud dormancy and root and shoot growth will be treated, as well as regenerative capacity of cells, tissues and organs to illustrate plant developmental flexibility. Reproductive strategies of mosses, ferns and gymnosperms will be discussed as a starting point to explain the evolution of angiosperm sexual reproduction.

Aims:

Creation of a good insight into the processes that regulate growth and development of plants and their reproductive strategies. Getting experience in the methods used to investigate and analyse the structural and physiological phenomena involved.

Activities:

The course consists of lectures and practicals; a CD-ROM will be used to illustrate reproductive strategies of lower plants. The practicals also include discussion sessions on the results of the practicals.

Examination:

The theory will be tested by two written exams in Dutch, one after 4 and one after 8 weeks. Reports about some aspects of the practical work have to be written and will be evaluated.

Literature:

The handbook "Biology of Plants" (edited by Raven, Evert & Eichhorn, sixth edition) will be used.
Next to that a set with questions and answers will be distributed as well as syllabi for the practical work, a study guide and the above mentioned CD-ROM.