Overall objectives:

1 - To raise awareness and appreciation for plants in their natural habitats.
2 - To know important facts about the growth of plants and their nutritional requirements.
3 - To understand the diverse physiological functions of the plant and corresponding methods for their observation and measurement.
4 - To help understand the role of plant physiology in the botanical sciences.
5 - At the end of the course it is expected that students should: - be familiar with contemporary concepts in plant physiology; - have an understanding of transport in plants as it relates to the movement of solutes and water, photosynthesis as related to harvesting solar energy and carbon fixation, carbon metabolism linked to energy release and storage, hormonal signaling as it impacts plant growth and development; - recognize mechanisms by which plants protect themselves; - show skills to search autonomously, and to analyze and synthetize data; - improve ability to communicate technical / scientific information.

Syllabus:

1 - Introduction. Plant Cells, Tissues and Organs.
2 - Water and Plant Cells.
3 - Water Balance of Plants.
4 - Mineral Nutrition.
5 - Solute Transport.
6 - Translocation in the phloem.
7 - Photosynthesis: the light reactions; Carbon reactions; Physiological and Ecological considerations.
8 - Respiration and Lipid Metabolism.
9 - Assimilation of Mineral Nutrients.
10 - Secondary Metabolites and Plant Defense.
11 - Growth hormones: Auxin; Gibberellins; Cytokinins; Ethylene; Abscisic acid.

Literature/Sources:

Hopkins WG, Huner NPA , 2008 , Introduction to Plant Physiology , John Willey & Sons, NY
Taiz L, Zeiger E , 2010 , Plant Physiology , Sinauer Associates Inc., Publishers, Massachusetts
. , Artigos científicos de revisão ou investigação ,
B. B. Buchanan; W. Gruissem, W.; R. L. Jones , 2015 , Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants , John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Published

Assesssment methods and criteria:

Classification Type: Quantitativa (0-20)

Evaluation Methodology:
Teaching methods includes: - lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations where syllabus are presented and explained; - laboratory classes designed to give practice in the application of theory and procedures, and to give feedback on student progress and understanding; - solving conceptual and numerical problems; - practice at scientific communication (written and oral). Students are assessed by two written exams based on syllabus (60% of the final grade) and an exam on laboratory activities (40% of the final grade).