Aims & Learning Objectives:
Aims: To introduce some important aspects of plant metabolism and their role in the functioning of the whole plant.
After taking this course the student should be able to:
* understand how plants (by definition static) are able to utilise light energy for the biosynthesis of important biomolecules, respond to the quality of light in order to maximise energy capture and simultaneously cope with extremes of temperature and water availability.
* Understand how plants, through the action of signalling pathways, respond not only to internal developmental cues but also to external stimuli.
* Understand why and how plants produce such a vast and diverse array of complex chemical compunds (secondary metabolites) a great many of which are of great importance to humankind.
Content:
Utilisation of light energy in photosynthesis; CO2 incorporation; carbohydrate synthesis, storage and breakdown; nitrogen fixation and metabolism; function and metabolism of lipids; plant growth regulators (hormones); plant signal transduction; secondary metabolism, its role in plant defence and biotechnological importance; photomorphogenesis.
Practical sessions provide experience in the use of a variety of techniques for the study of plant processes and will complement topics covered in the lecture course.
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