Download Principles of Botany - Department of Plant Biology

PlantBiology(776)ExpandedCourseDescription
11:776:210PrinciplesofBotany
(3.0cr)
Prerequisitesandregistrationrestrictions:
None InstructorandContactinformation:
Harry W. Janes Research Professor Department of Plant Biology School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Rutgers University [email protected] Format:
The course will be given in a hybrid format. This will consist of both online and in class sections. Generalcoursedescription/synopsis:
This course is designed as an introduction to plant biology with an evolutionary
focus. The course defines a plant and introduces it as an essential component of the
environment highlighting its roles in stabilizing human existence. Students will be
introduced to plant molecular biology including the structures and functions of
important biological molecules (carbohydrates, lipid, proteins, nucleic acids). Both
sexual and asexual reproductive processes will be explained and students will learn
the principles of heredity. The understanding of these principles will provide the
basis for the study of evolution and natural selection. The explanation of the
tendency of organisms that have favorable adaptations to their environment to
survive and become parents of the next generation will be stressed as students are
introduced to systematics. An understanding of the evolutionary process through
an overview of several kingdoms leading up to a more detailed description of
Angiosperms will be emphasized. CourseLearningGoals:
1. Learn the basics of plant genetics and the process of genetic engineering.
2. Gain an understanding of the evolutionary process and the practice of plant
breeding.
3. Understand the evolutionary and ecological relationships among various
plant groups.
4. Develop an understanding of fundamental plant anatomy from cell to
organism.
AssessmentMeasures:
Each of the learning goals will be assessed through in‐class discussion and exams. Below are examples of questions for each learning goal that will allow us to evaluate the student’s progress in attaining proficiency in the area emphasized by the goal. Learning Goal 1: Plant Genetics & genetic engineering 1. Compare the structures of DNA and RNA molecules and identify the functions of the three types of RNA: messenger RNA, transfer RNA, and ribosomal RNA. 2. Contrast incomplete dominance and polygenic inheritance. 3. Explain the effect of mutations on protein synthesis and on evolution. Learning Goal 2: Evolution process and plant breeding 1. Distinguish between the gene pool of a population and the genotype of an individual. 2. Define microevolution and explain how each of the following microevolutionary forces alters allele frequencies in populations: mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, natural selection. 3. Discuss Breeding practices for self‐pollinated and cress‐pollinated plants 4. Outline The process of Genetic Engineering including the role of restriction enzymes and plasmids. Learning Goal 3: Understand evolutionary relationships 1. Define systematics and describe the cladistic approach to systematics. 2. What is chemical evolution and what are the two hypotheses as to how it occurred? 3. Discuss some environmental challenges of living on land and describe how several plant adaptations meet those challenges. 4. Name the algal group from which plants are hypothesized to have descended and describe supporting evidence. Learning Goal 4: Anatomy 1. Explain the basic structure of the fluid mosaic model of a membrane 2. Describe the functions of the following 10 parts of a plant cell: nucleus, plasma membrane, chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Dictysomes, vacuole, cytoskeleton, and cell wall. 3. Trace the pathway of water from the soil through the various root tissues. 4. Contrast the structures of an herbaceous dicot stem and a monocot stem. CourseSyllabusandOtherinformation: 1. Why Plants – The central role of Plants to the existence of life a. Food & Fiber b. Enjoyment c. Source of Raw materials 2. Cells a. Biological Molecules b. Cell Structure c. Cell division 3. Genetics a. Replication of DNA b. Classical Genetics 4. Population Genetics and Evolution a. Rates of Evolution b. Speciation c. Origin of Life (Prokaryotes) 5. Classification & Systematics a. Taxonomic Categories and cladistics b. Determining Taxonomy 6. Algae and the origin of Eukaryotes a. Red, Brown, Dinoflagellates, Euglenoids b. Green 7. NonVascular Plants a. Moss, Liverworts and Hornworts 8. Vascular Plants a. Without seeds – Microphyll line and Megaphyll line b. With seeds – Seed Ferns, Progymnosperms and Gymnosperms (Conifers) 9. Angiosperms a. Monocots b. Eudicots i. Roots, stems, leaves ii. Flowering and Reproduction