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Principles of Plant Physiology
TPSS 470 (Cross listed as BOT 470)
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Goals and Objectives

The objective of this course are to provide students with an understanding of whole plant physiology, and the fundamental significance of the underlying biochemical and molecular processes involved. You should gain an understanding and appreciation of plant function, including the dynamic processes of growth, development and reproduction.
Skills and Knowledge to be Acquired

Students should be able to apply the knowledge gained to ecological and plant production problems. Experience should be gained in basic plant physiology laboratory techniques and the application of the scientific method.
Computer Skills to be Acquired
None
Prerequisites
CHEM 152 & BIOL 171 or consent
Texts
Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger 1998, 2nd Edition Plant Physiology. The Benjamin/Cummings Publ. Co.
Films/Videotapes

None
Guest Speakers

Dr. Cecilia Smith
Field Trips

None
Course Organization
The course covers the following areas of plant physiology:
  • Reductionism, Laws & Analysis
  • Water Balance of the Plant and Plant Cells
  • Mineral Nutrition and Solute Transport
  • Assimilation of Mineral Nutrition and Nitrogen Fixation
  • Phloem Translocation
  • Photosynthesis - Chloroplasts / Light Reaction / Ocean Plants
  • Carbon Linked Reactions / C4 Plants & CAM
  • Ecological Considerations
  • Stress Resistance
  • Dark Respiration & Lipid Metabolism
  • Plant Defense Mechanisms and Secondary Metabolism
  • Gene Expression and Signal Transduction
  • Cell Walls - Components / Structure / Synthesis / Degradation
  • Growth, Development and Differentiation
  • Senescence
  • Photomorphogenesis
  • Blue Light Responses - Stomata & Morphogenesis
  • Plant Growth Regulators - Overveiw / Auxins
  • Growth and Tropisms: Gibberelins / Cytokinins / Ethylene / Abscisic Acid
  • The Control of Flowering
Grading
Lecture: Three examinations, each worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points. The last examination will be taken during the final examination week and cover the last one third of the course.

Laboratory: Laboratory notebook and laboratory discussion will be 50% of the laboratory grade. Research project and report will be 50% of the laboratory grade. Laboratory attendance is mandatory. Lack of attendance will have a significant negative effect on your final grade.
Faculty

Robert E. Paull
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Last updated on 1/15/2004