PCB-10803 Reproduction of Plants

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

PPH-10806 Structure and Function of Plants

Continuation courses:

MOB-20803 Mechanisms of Development, PCB-30306 Cell Biology and Advanced Imaging Technologies, PPH-30306 Plant Cell and Tissue Culture

Contents:

In this course, the structure, development and physiology of plants is studied at the level of the cells, the tissues and the whole plant, with sexual reproduction as the main focus. Reproductive strategies of mosses, ferns and gymnosperms will be discussed as a starting point to explain angiosperm sexual reproduction. In the latter part emphasis is on structural and physiological aspects of the regulation of e.g. flower induction, flower development, fertilization and embryogenesis.
Aims are the creation of a good insight into the processes that regulate reproduction of plants and their relationships with growth and development, next to getting experience in the methods used to investigate and analyse the structural and physiological phenomena involved.

Learning outcomes:

After this course the students are able to:
- explain, recognize, present and discuss the (theoretical) backgrounds of the processes that regulate reproductive strategies of plants, both from an anatomical/cell biological and a physiological point of view;
- understand the evolution of reproductive strategies in lower and higher plants;
- recognize methods of investigation in cell biological, anatomical and physiological studies in the field of plant reproduction;
- obtain knowledge with regard to plant structure, growth and development by making and interpreting microscopical preparations of plant parts, both from lower and higher plants - design, carry out, interpret and present (in written and oral reports) experiments in the field of reproductive strategies of plants, mostly from general prescriptions, extended with some individual set-ups.

Activities:

The course consists of lectures and practicals. In the practical part physiological experiments will be performed and microscopical plant structure will be studied; this part also includes discussion sessions on the results of the practicals.

Examination:

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

Literature:

A textbook, syllabi and a study guide will be used.