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Topics in Plant Physiology
BIOL 385
Spring 2011
Instructor:
Dr. Jackie Schnurr
Office: 315 Stratton
Phone: 364-3274
e-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: MWF 11:30-12:30 or when I’m in my office!
Lectures: MWF 10:30-11:20; Rm. 304 Stratton
Textbook: Taiz, L. and E. Zeiger, 2010, Plant Physiology, Sinauer Publishers
Grade Weighting
Term Paper (including presentation)
Take Home Exam
Final Examination
Participation – weekly assignments
40%
15%
15%
30%
Class description
This is an upper division class – as such, I assume that you already understand the basics
of botany. If you have forgotten anything we might touch on in class, you are responsible for
reviewing the concept in your text.
I am structuring this course much like a graduate level course. I expect that you will come
to class having done the reading and ready to participate in discussion. You are expected to
formulate your own opinions, and to be understanding of the opinions expressed by others. I’m
looking for your ability to think in this course!
A short, typed (1 page or less) summary of the weekly reading is due at the end of each
paper discussion. You can use the summary to aid in your discussion, but you must give it to me
before you leave the class each week.
As always, the Wells Honor Code is expected to be upheld in everything you do…
Course objectives: At the end of this course, you should be able to:
 Describe and explain the major portions of the plant cell.
 Analyze water use potential and how it is involved with the transport and translocation of
water and solutes.
 Describe the biochemistry of photosynthesis, as well as physiological and ecological
constraints faced by angiosperms.
 Discuss growth and development of angiosperms, specifically the role of genetics,
phytochromes, and hormones such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid and
ethylene.
 Understand the evolutionary constraints faced by plants, and how they are overcome by the
different plant groups.
 Write and present a term paper on a plant physiology topic.
Biol 385
Plant Phys
2
Dr. Schnurr
Spring 2011
Lecture and Readings Schedule
Date
31 Jan
2 Feb
4 Feb
Topic
Course Introduction – What is a plant?
Plant Cells
Plant Cells
Ch./Due?
1
1
1
7Feb
DeLucia, E.H. et al. 2001. Plant Physiological
Ecology: Linking the Organism to Scales Above
and Below. New Phytologist 149: 12-16
Water
Water
3&4
3&4
9 Feb
11 Feb
14 Feb
16 Feb
18 Feb
21 Feb
23 Feb
25 Feb
28 Feb
Elmore, A.J. et al. 2003. Regional Patterns of Plant
Community Response to Changes in Water:
Owens Valley, California. Ecological Applications
13:443-460.
Mineral Nutrition
5
Mineral Nutrition
5
Aber, J. et al. 2003. Is nitrogen deposition altering
the nitrogen status of northeastern forests?
BioScience 53: 375-389.
Photosynthesis : light reactions
Photosynthesis : light reactions
7
7
Chazdon, R.L. and R.W. Pearcy. 1991. The importance
of sunflecks for forest understory plants. BioScience
41: 760-766.
2 March
4 March
Photosynthesis : carbon reactions
Photosynthesis : carbon reactions
7 March
Lawlor, D. 2009. Musings about the effects of
environment on photosynthesis. Ann. Bot. 103:543549.
9 March
11 March
Photosynthesis : ecology
Photosynthesis : ecology
14 March
Ehlringer, J.R. and R.K. Monson. 1993. Evolutionary
and ecological aspects of photosynthetic pathway
variation. Ann Rev Eco and Syst 24: 411-439.
16 March
18 March
Translocation
Translocation
8
8
9
9
TAKE HOME EXAM
10
10
TAKE HOME DUE
SPRING BREAK
28 March
TERM PAPER TOPIC DUE
Topa, M.A. et al., 2004. Do Elevated Ozone and
Biol 385
Plant Phys
3
Dr. Schnurr
Spring 2011
Variable Light Alter Carbon Transport to Roots in
Sugar Maple? New Phytologist 162:173-186
30 March
1 April
Respiration
Respiration
11
11
4 April
Gonzalez-Meler, M. et al. 2004. Plant respiration and
elevated CO2 concentration: cellular responses and
global significance. Ann. Bot. 94: 647-656.
TERM PAPER DRAFT
6 April
8 April
Plant defenses
Plant defenses
13
13
11 April
Stolter, C. 2008. Intra-Individual Plant Response to
Moose Browsing: Feedback Loops and Impacts on
Multiple Consumers. Ecological Monographs 78: 167183.
13 April
15 April
Phytochrome
Phytochrome
18 April
Dodd, A. et al. 2005. Plant circadian clocks increase
photosynthesis, growth, survival, and competitive
advantage. Science 309: 630-633.
20 April
22 April
Plant hormones
Plant hormones
19-24
19-24
25 April
27 April
29 April
Plant hormones
Plant hormones
19-24
19-24
17
17
Schultz , J.C. and H. M. Appel. 2004. Cross-Kingdom
Cross-Talk: Hormones Shared by Plants and Their
Insect Herbivores. Ecology 85:70-77.
2 May
4 May
6 May
Flowering
Flowering
9 May
11 May
13 May
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
Amasino, R. M. 2004. Vernalization, competence, and
the epigenetic memory of winter. Plant Cell 16: 25532559.
25
25
TAKE HOME FINAL
TERM PAPER DUE
FINAL EXAM WILL BE TAKE HOME AND DUE at 5 PM on MAY 18