Plant Physiology

WATER BALANCE IN PLANTS 

• The unique properties of water;

• The importance and functions of water in plants (turgor, transport, reactions);

• Soil-plant-atmosphere continuum;

• Water absorption;

• Water transport;

• Water evapotranspiration and stomatal regulation;

•  Ecological considerations of plant water transport.

MINERAL NUTRITION

• Essential and beneficial mineral elements;

• Foliar and radicular mineral absorption;

• Transport of mineral elements;

• Mineral deficiency and toxicity;

• Symbiotic associations (mycorrhiza and bacteria).

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

• Importance of photosynthesis;

• Light-dependent reactions (chlorophyll, chloroplasts, photosystems, cyclic and acyclic photophosphorylation);

• Calvin cycle;

• C4 and CAM cycles;

• Photorespiration;

• Eco-physiological considerations of photosynthesis.

PHLOEM TRANSPORT

• Phloem components;

• Sap composition;

• Phloem transport;

• Allocation and partition of photoassimilates.

PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Pollination and fertilization;

• Phases of seed development;

• Seed morphology;

• Vivipary plants;

• Seed dormancy and quiescence;

• Phases of seed germination;

• Morphofunctional  seedling classification.

PLANT HORMONES - PART 1

• Plant hormones;

• Mechanisms of hormonal action;

• Auxin;

• Cytokinin;

• Ethylene.

PLANT HORMONES - PART 2

• Gibberellin;

• Abscisic acid;

• Brassinosteroids;

• Salicylic acid;

• Jasmonic acid;

• Polyamines.

ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF STRESS IN PLANTS

• The concept of stress;

• Plant strategies: escape, avoidance and tolerance;

• Abiotic stressors (excessive radiation, shade, water deficit, flooding, high salinity, high temperatures, cold, freezing);

• Biotic stressors (pathogens, herbivory);

• Cross-tolerance.