BIO1003 : Plant Biology 1 (2009)
| Semester 2 | 10 Credits |
| ECTS Credit Value | 5.0 |
Summary
This module aims to stimulate an interest in plants by demonstrating their role and importance in the natural world. The evolution and diversity of lower plants will be described and plant adaptations to the different climates across the globe will be defined. The mechanisms underpinning plant-environment interactions will be described to provide a foundation for understanding plant physiology, metabolism and development. The combination of lectures and practical work will engender an understanding of fundamental biological principles and develop cognitive skills through the analysis and interpretation of data and observations obtained within the laboratory.
Aims
To stimulate an interest in plants by demonstrating their role and importance in the natural world.
To describe the evolution and diversity of lower plants.
To translate plant responses to the environment into a basic mechanistic understanding of physiology, metabolism and development.
Outline Of Syllabus
Lower plant diversity including brown, green and red algae, bryophytes and lichens (4 lectures, GWB)
Climate and global vegetation, nutrient requirements, aquatic environment, light requirements, plant-animal interactions, germination and life history (7 lectures, AMB)
The plant body, leaf structure/function, water uptake and transport, light reactions of photosynthesis, CO2 fixation and turbo chargers, carbon transfer and allocation (5 lectures, JDB)
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
An understanding of the diversity in both form and function of plants and how this is influenced by physical and biological interactions with the environment.
Intended Skill Outcomes
The combination of lectures and practical work will engender professional skills in terms of: 1) understanding fundamental biological principles, 2) searching for scientific information and making concise appraisals of the information obtained, 3) developing cognitive skills through the analysis and interpretation of data and observations obtained within the laboratory. Students are expected to gain ability for safely performing simple laboratory procedures and for recording data and observations effectively.
Teaching Rationale And Relationships
Lectures provide the framework and theory for introducing lower plants together with (eco)physiological and biochemical properties of plants. Practicals set this material in the context of plant-environment interactions by direct observations and measurements of cellular and physiological processes. Class tests based on video material complementing the lectures will further direct student learning and provide feedback to students on their progress. Communication and teamwork are key elements of the practicals. Private study using the recommended texts will provide further depth of understanding of the fundamental biological properties of plants.
Reading List
- Life: The science of biology (8th edition 2008) (Essential reading)
Author: Sadava, D et al.Sinauer/ Freeman
ISBN: 0716776710 - Instant Notes in Plant Biology (2nd edition 2005) (Recommended reading)
Author: Lack and Evans
ISBN: 0415356431
Staff
| Dr Anne Borland |
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| Prof. Jeremy Barnes |
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| Dr Gordon Beakes |
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