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Plant Physiology I

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Biol1001, Botany

Ķīmi1012, Chemistry

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to provide an insight into physiological processes in plants, covering carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids, and other biologically active compounds, as well as their roles in cells and organisms. The course examines enzymes and the environmental factors affecting their activity, the structure of cell membranes and substance transport, the plant water regime, stomata and transpiration, mineral uptake, and biological nitrogen fixation. It also analyzes plant pigments, the light and dark reactions of photosynthesis and the environmental factors influencing them, as well as respiration processes and the conditions that affect them. The course provides an understanding of plant productivity and the physiological processes that determine it.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students gain knowledge about plant cells and organisms, biochemistry and metabolism, physiological processes in plants, endogenous and exogenous conditions affecting them.
Students are able to determine the most important physiological parameters of plants.
Students are able to evaluate the factors affecting and limiting plant productivity, understand their impact on yield formation.
Students' knowledge is assessed in tests on plant cell biochemistry, plant water regime and mineral nutrition, photosynthesis and respiration. Test marks consist of three quarters of the final grade defending laboratory work-one quarters.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time studies: Lectures:
1. The subject of plant physiology, its relationship with other branches of science, research methodology. 1h
2. Plant cell, its composition, functioning 1h
3. Carbohydrates, fats. 2h
4. Proteins, nucleic acids. 2h
5. Enzymes and factors affecting their activity. 1h
6. Secondary metabolites in plants. Biologically active compounds and their role in cells and organism. 1h
7. Cell membranes. Uptake and excretion of substances. 1h
8. Water regime of plants. Water uptake in plants, factors affecting it. Water regime of plants. Transpiration. 3 h
9. Mineralelements, their physiological role in plants. 2h
10. Rhizosphere, mycorrhiza, biological nitrogen fixation. 1h
11. Plant pigments. Photosynthesis. 2h
12. Photosynthesis, its exogenous and endogenous regulation. 1h
13. Respiration. 2h
14. Endogenous and exogenous regulation of respiration. 1h
15. Plant productivity. 1h

Labs:
1. Plant cell, osmotic phenomena in the cell – 2h
2. Water uptake - 2h
3. Organic substances in seeds, their transformations during seed germination- 2h
4. Enzymatic activity in plants- 2h
5. Determination of ascorbic acid- 2h
6. Stomata- 2h
7. Transpiration- 2h
8. Mineral elements in plants- 2h
9. Pigments-2h
10. Photosynthesis- 2h
11. Respiration- 2h

Part-time studies. Lectures:
1. Plant cell, its composition, functions. 1h
2. Cell membranes. Uptake and excretion of substances. 1h
3. Plant water regime. Water uptake in plants, factors influencing it. Plant water regime. Transpiration. 1 h
4. Mineralelements, their physiological role in plants. Rhizosphere, mycorrhiza, biological nitrogen fixation. 1h
5. Photosynthesis. Plant pigments. Photosynthesis exogenous and endogenous regulation. 2h
6. Respiration. Endogenous and exogenous regulation of respiration. 1h
7. Plant productivity. 1h

Labs:
1. Plant cell, osmotic phenomena in the cell – 2h
2. Organic substances in seeds, their transformations during seed germination- 1h
3. Transpiration- 1h
4. Mineral elements in plants- 1h
5. Pigments-Photosynthesis- 2h

6. Respiration- 1h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Working out and answering of laboratory works. Successfully written 3 tests. Finally- Test with mark.

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

Students' knowledge is assessed in tests on (1) plant cell biochemistry, (2) plant water regime and mineral nutrition, (3) photosynthesis and respiration. Test grades make up 45% of the final grade, 15% is given by the defense of laboratory work.

The course concludes with an exam, which makes up 40% of the grade.

Compulsory reading

1. Ieviņš Ģ. Augu fizioloģija. Funkcijas un mijiedarbība ar vidi. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2016. 607 lpp.
2. Mauriņa H. Augu fizioloģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1987. 358 lpp.
3. Taiz L., Zeiger E. (2006) Plant Physiology, Sinauer Associates, 764 lpp.

4. Bhatla, Satish C. (2018) Plant Physiology, Development and Metabolism , Singapore : Springer Nature Singapore, 1237 p.

Notes

Mandatory course of Academic Bachelor Study Program “Sustainable Agriculture” and Professional higher education Bachelor program "Agriculture"