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Plant Physiology I

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Biol1001, Botany

Ķīmi1012, Chemistry

Course abstract

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, biologically active compounds and their role in cells and plants Enzymes and environmental factors influencing their activity. Cell membranes. Uptake and release of substances from the cell. Water regime. Stomata Transpiration. Mineral elements, their role in plant. Biological nitrogen fixation. Plant pigments. Photosynthesis, dark and light reactions, role of environmental factors. Respiration and environmental conditions affecting it. Plant productivity.
The aim is to give an insight into the physiological processes in plants.

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

Tests
Plant cell and biochemistry 25%
Plant water regime and mineral nutrition 25%
Photosynthesis and respiration 25%

Labs ( worked out and defenced) 25%

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.

Notes

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