Unit PLANT ECOFISIOLOGY

Course
Biology
Study-unit Code
GP004077
Curriculum
Biodiversita' e gestione delle risorse naturali
Teacher
Stefania Pasqualini
Teachers
  • Stefania Pasqualini
Hours
  • 42 ore - Stefania Pasqualini
CFU
6
Course Regulation
Coorte 2019
Offered
2020/21
Learning activities
Affine/integrativa
Area
Attività formative affini o integrative
Academic discipline
BIO/04
Type of study-unit
Opzionale (Optional)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa monodisciplinare
Language of instruction
Italian language
Contents
THE WATER TRANSPORT: diffusion, bulk flow and osmosis. Hydric potential. solute transport: active and passive transport. Ionic channels, carrier and pumps. The membrane potential. Water and salt uptake: from soil to root, root pressure. Phytoremediation PHOTOSYNTHESIS: The pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids and xanthophylls). The light phase of photosynthesis. The dark reaction: C3, C4 andCAMcycles. Photorespiration. Photosynthesis ecophysiology. PLANT METABOLISM: Assimilation of mineral elements: uptake and assimilation of nitrate. Synthesis of aminoacids. Biological fixation of nitrogen. SECONDARY METABOLITES: terpens, alkaloids and flavonoids. BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC STRESSES
N. Rascio “Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale” Edises II edizione 2017. Slides of the lectures are in the web site UNISTUDIUM.
The course is aimed to furnish useful elements to the understanding of the plant metabolism. To achieve this objective the students must understand a) how the plants are able to use the solar energy to assimilate the inorganic carbon and to convert it through different biosyntheses into molecules and complex organic structures composing the plant cell; b) how the plants are able to take up mineral elements and water from the environment and to redistribute them inside the different parts of the plant; c) how the plants are able to develop and to regulate their own growth, also in relationship to the environmental stimuli. The mechanisms of the response and adaptation of the plants to stress conditions will be deepened with particular attention to formation and scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
Reference texts
N. Rascio “Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale” Edises II edizione 2017. Slides of the lectures are in the web site UNISTUDIUM.
Educational objectives
The course is aimed to furnish useful elements to the understanding of the plant metabolism. To achieve this objective the students must understand a) how the plants are able to use the solar energy to assimilate the inorganic carbon and to convert it through different biosyntheses into molecules and complex organic structures composing the plant cell; b) how the plants are able to take up mineral elements and water from the environment and to redistribute them inside the different parts of the plant; c) how the plants are able to develop and to regulate their own growth, also in relationship to the environmental stimuli. The mechanisms of the response and adaptation of the plants to stress conditions will be deepened with particular attention to formation and scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite that the student must have to fully understand the contents of the course is the knowledge of general botany (Plant citology and morphology). Important prerequisite is considered the knowledge of fundamentals of general chemistry, inorganic and organic.
Teaching methods
Face-to-face lectures.
Learning verification modality
The exam consists of an oral test of about 30 minutes long aiming to ascertain the knoldge level and the understanding capability acquired by the student. The oral exam will also test the student communication skills and his autonomy in the organization and exposure of different topics.
Extended program
THE WATER TRANSPORT: diffusion, bulk flow and osmosis. Hydric potential. solute transport: active and passive transport. Ionic channels, carrier and pumps. The membrane potential. Water and salt uptake: from soil to root, root pressure. Phytoremediation PHOTOSYNTHESIS: The pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids and xanthophylls). The light phase of photosynthesis. The dark reaction: C3, C4 andCAM cycles. Photorespiration. Photosynthesis ecophysiology.

PLANT METABOLISM: Assimilation of mineral elements: uptake and assimilation of nitrate. Synthesis of aminoacids. Biological fixation of nitrogen.

SECONDARY METABOLITES: terpens, alkaloids and flavonoids.

BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC STRESSES

During the course will be carried out four lab exercitations and seminars.
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