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Module

BIO2035 : Plant Biology

  • Offered for Year: 2020/21
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Tahar Taybi
  • Lecturer: Dr Vasilios Andriotis
  • Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

To deepen understanding and knowledge of the manner in which plants develop in their natural environment, how they perceive and respond to environmental stimuli, and how they make co-ordinated adjustments at the physiological, biochemical and molecular levels that facilitate survival under stressful and changing conditions.
To describe the evolution and diversity of higher plants.
To grow an appreciation of relevant background theory and the application of experimental methods. Practical classes develop core skills and encourage the formulation and testing of hypotheses.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module builds on the appreciation of the role and importance of plants in the natural world acquired in Stage 1. The majority of the module will focus on the mechanisms underlying the ways in which plants grow and differentiate, the ways they perceive signals and respond to environmental stimuli and the ways they co-ordinate and adjust at the physiological, biochemical and molecular levels to facilitate growth and survival in diverse environments. The module will also cover the evolution of plants and the diversity of plant life on the planet.
Practical classes aim at developing core cognitive abilities (e.g. the analysis and interpretation of datasets), and will facilitate the formulation and testing of specific hypotheses – skills that will be of direct relevance in the planning and execution of Stage 3 research projects.


Topics of lectures:
Plant growth and differentiation: seed germination, development of roots, shoots and leaves.
Flowering: flower development and reproductive growth and their control.
Metabolic coordination: allocation and transport of assimilates, coordination of carbon availability and growth, acute and acclamatory responses to starvation.
Plant responses to abiotic stress.
Physiology of stomata.
Communication within and between plants; plant hormones.
Mineral nutrition and the rhizosphere.
Origin and diversification of plants.
Lab practicals:
Effect of abiotic stress on plant growth
Physiology of stomata
Plant mineral nutrition

Teaching Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Assessment Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Reading Lists

Timetable