08211 - Plant Ecophysiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will acquire a critical and in-depth vision of the main themes of plant ecophysiology concerning photosynthesis, metabolism, plant-soil, plant-light, and plant-atmosphere relationships, as well as physiological elements of biotic/abiotic stresses and defence plant responses. Therefore, the student will be able to critically evaluate the physiological state of plants and to understand the mechanisms of functioning and adaptation to the environment, also taking advantage of an intensive experimental laboratory.

Course contents

Course introduction. Evolution and morphological features of the major photosynthetic organisms. Importance of the plant-water relationship and plant-mineral nutrition. Nutrient assimilation and mycorrhizae. Photosynthesis: general concepts, reactions of the light phase, reactions of the metabolic phase (carbon organisation), and photorespiration. Physiology of plants adapted to extreme climates: C4 and CAM plants. Secondary metabolites and plant defence mechanisms from biotic and abiotic stresses. Seminar on GMO plants: generation, use, and future perspectives. Insight into phytohormones and secondary metabolites (e.g. terpenes or alkaloids) through student-led seminars.

Laboratory (1 CFU)

Purification of chloroplasts from leaf material of different origin. Extraction of photosynthetic pigments and spectrophotometric determination of the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids. Gel electrophoresis separation of chloroplast proteins. Calculations and final considerations.

Readings/Bibliography

Rascio N, Carfagna S, Esposito S, La Rocca N, Lo Gullo MA, Trost P, Vona V (2017) Elementi di Fisiologia vegetale. EdiSES .

Teaching methods

The course (5 CFU) will be held by conducting lectures accompanied by the projection of images and slides (power point). The teacher is available for any questions and clarifications both during and at the end of the lesson. The part of the laboratory (1 CFU) will include a introductory lesson in which the experimental protocol will be explained and all students will perform the experimental activity individually. The laboratory ends with a comparative analysis of the data collected by each student.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of an oral test where candidates will be asked questions about the content of the course in order to assess their knowledge and general vision. A non-compulsory seminar activity will be proposed during the course and considered as part of the exam grade

Teaching tools

The course will take place in classrooms equipped with PC projection. All lessons will be carried out with the help of power point presentations. The files of the power point presentations will be made available to the students at the end of the course. The laboratory course will take place in a single-workstation, equipped with centrifuges, spectrophotometers and electrophoretic cells.

Office hours

See the website of Mirko Zaffagnini