Aims

To deepen understanding and knowledge of the manner in which plants develop in their natural environment including the mechanism of growth and differentiation, 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.
Will also describe the different photosynthetic plant types.
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 different photosynthetic plant variants (C3, C4 and Crassulacean acid metabolism).
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.
Cell death and senescence
Plant responses to abiotic stresses.
Physiology of stomata.
Cellular signalling.
Plant hormones.
In-planta long distance signalling
Plant-to-pant communication.
The physio9logy of C3-photosynthesis, C4-photosynthesis and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism.

Lab practicals:
Effect of abiotic stress on plant growth
Physiology of stomata and Ca2+ signalling

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Structured lectures together with online material with focused topics will allow students to gain a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of plant development and survival in challenging environments from the molecular level to the whole plant level. The learning experience will constitute a strong foundation to pursue specialist 3rd year courses. Practicals based on Nuffield-style approaches will specifically encourage the formulation and testing of hypotheses. The content of the lab-based practicals will complement and enhance the formal lecture programme. Private study using recommended plant biology and physiology texts will provide further depth of understanding of the biological processes and systems involved.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and practical exercises provide the basis for questions in the formal examination, which focuses on testing depth and breadth of knowledge and general understanding of the subject area. The practical reports which includes a formative assessment, are designed to assess the ability to design and perform hypothesis-driven research, record findings and interpret experimental results.

Study Abroad students may request to take their exam before the semester 1 exam period, in which case the format of the paper may differ from that shown in the MOF. Study Abroad students should contact the school to discuss this.