PPH-10306 Biology of Plants

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Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Contents:

In this introductory course on plant biology, the focus is on understanding the development, structure and functioning of plants. Emphasis is placed on the relations between cellular and molecular processes at one side and the functioning of the whole plant in its environment at the other side. The course consists of a cell biological/structural part (with emphasis on cell structure and organisation, cell division, genetic regulation, plant morphogenesis, differentiation and interaction between plants and micro-organisms) and a physiological part (focussing on e.g. photosynthesis, respiration, water and ion transport, regulation of growth by plant hormones and light).

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- describe the most important structural/cell biological and physiological phenomena essential for (the survival of) plants;
- explain the relation between structure and function of plants;
- explain the processes that regulate growth and development of plants;
- translate the effects of environmental changes on plant growth, development, structure and function in plant cell biological and physiological processes;
- understand and use basic skills necessary to investigate structural and physiological characteristics of plants;
- set up, execute and interpret basic physiological experiments;
- report on these experiments in a written report and in a group discussion.

Activities:

The course consists of lectures, practicals and an excursion. In the practical part physiological experiments will be performed and microscopical plant (cell) structure will be studied; this part also includes discussion sessions on the results of the practical's.

Examination:

- computer exam, containing 50 - 100 questions (80%);
- written report of one of the experiments (10%);
- workbook of morphological practical's (10%).
Minimum of each part is 5.0.

Literature:

Raven, P.H.; Evert, R.F.; Eichhorn, S.E. (1998). Biology of plants. New York, US: Freeman/Worth. 944p. ISBN 1572590416.
At the start of the course, syllabi for the practical work and a study guide will be distributed.