Course code LauZ6066
Credit points 4
Agricultural Biology
Total Hours in Course160
Number of hours for lectures32
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32
Independent study hours96
Date of course confirmation27.09.2011
Responsible UnitInstitute of Soil and Plant Science
Course developer
Ina Alsiņa
Dr. biol.
Course abstract
Study course acquire with biological processes as the basis of agricultural production and environmental protection. Discuss cells and organisms as open systems and their mater and energy metabolism. Regulation of enzymes activity. Biodiversity of microorganisms and their use in biotechnology. Biocoenosis.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
Students obtain knowledge about diversity of organisms, creation, transformation and degradation of organic mater, energy cycling at the different levels of biological systems organisation.
Students can access necessary scientific literature, evaluate applicability of information.
Students can evaluate factors effecting accumulation, transformation and degradation of organic matter, are competent to analyse the effect of different factors on the biological objects.
Course Content(Calendar)
1. Carbohydrates, fats, proteins and biologically active compounds in cells and organisms
2. Mineral elements in cell and organism.
3. The forms and functions of water in the cell and organism.
4. Energy exchange processes.
5. Enzymes. Regulation of their activity
6. Hormones, their role in the organism.
7. Flow of information in the cell and organism.
8. Cellular communication.
9. Cell and organism as an open system.
10. Photosynthesis and respiration.
11. Productivity.
12. Morphological and physiological diversity of microorganisms.
13. Biotechnology methods and possibilities.
14. Stability of biocenoses.
15. Environmental pollution as a regulatory factor of organisms and biocenosis
16. Future prospects for the utilization nd use of substances and energy.
Requirements for awarding credit points
During the semester - tests on certain topics. At the end - exam.
Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work
Reporting of laboratory works and explanation of the obtained results. Independent work in preparation for tests.
Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes
Working out and explanation of laboratory works-25 %
Successfully written tests- 25%
Exam-50%
Compulsory reading
1. Biochemistry / Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham; with molecular graphic images by Michal Sabat. 2017.
2. Biochemistry / Denise R. Ferrier, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.2017
3. Šūnu bioloģija / Tūrs Selga. 2008
4. Renewable biologial systems for alternative sustainable energy production/FAO of the United Nations; edited by Kazuhisa Miyamoto.-Rome: FAO, 1997.-XVI, 108 p.:ill., tab.
5. Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology. Edited by Mohammad Pessarakli. 1995./1024 pp.,ill
6. Baltress V. Pārtikas ķīmija. Rīga, 1998, 478 lpp
Further reading
1. Microbial control of weeds/ edited by David O.TeBeest. New York; London: Chapman and Hall, 1991.- VIII, 284 p.
2. Augu fizioloģija: funkcijas un mijiedarbība ar vidi/ Ģ Ieviņš, Rīga, LU, 2016
3. Pārtikas organiskā ķīmija/ V. Kreicbergs 2018
Periodicals and other sources
1. Ilustrētā Zinātne.Rīga: Mediju grupa TOPS. ISSN 1691-256X.
2. AgroTops Rīga: Aģentūra Agro apgāds ISSN 1407-5164
3. Saimnieks LV. Rīga: TEE BIO, 2004- ISSN 1691-1598