12942 - Molecular Physiology of Plants

Learning outcomes

The student will gain a critical and in-depth knowledge of the major topics of molecular plant physiology (transport, photosynthesis, metabolism, mineral nutrition, photomorphogenesis and hormones).

Course contents

Synthetic program: 

Introduction: plants and cells

Membrane transport: Proton ATPase of the plasma membrane and other pumps. Membrane potential, electrochemical potential, Nernst potential. Transporters. Channels. Aquaporines.

Water relationships. Water potential. Cell growth. Continuum soil-plant-atmosphere. Water absorption by roots. Xylem. Transpiration. Mechanisms of stomata opening and closure.

Mineral nutrition. Absoprtion of mineral elements by roots. Root pressure. Mychorrizae. The case of iron. Absorption and reduction of nitrate. Ammonium organication. Shikimic acid pathway and glyphosate.

Photosynthesis. Light. Photosynthetic pigments. Electronic transitions. Antenna complexes. PS-II. Q-cycle. PS-I. ATP-synthase. Nonciclic, ciclic and pseudociclic electron trasnport. Calvin Benson cycle. Rubisco. Thioredoxins. Photorespiration. Net and gross photosynthesis. CO2 concentation mechanisms in C3 and C4 plants. Starch and sucrose. Sink-source relationships. Phloem. 

Respiration. Overview. Glycolysis in plants. Relationships between the Oxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway and the Calvin cycle. Krebs cycle. Respiratory chain.

Photomorphogenesis. Red and blue light effects. Phytochromes. Absorption and action spectra. Photoreversibility. Fluence, irradiance and types of phytochrome responses. Cryptochrome. Phototropins.

Hormones. Auxin, cytokinines and gibberellins: effects, biosynthesis and transport. Special emphasis on signal transduction pathways.

Readings/Bibliography

Taiz, Zeiger, Plant Physiology, 5th Edition, Sinauer Associates, 2010

Power point files of the lectures.

Teaching methods

Assessment methods

oral examination

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Bernardo Trost