Biology of Selected Plant Groups

biology
biotechnology
environmental protection

elective courses

Blended learning

Anatomical and morphological variability of plants and their adaptation to specific environmental conditions.

Physiological and biochemical variability of plants in specific climatic zones.

Anatomical and morphological variability of plants.

Adaptation of plants to the environment: emphasis on the life forms and ecological groups of plants (e.g. sclerophytes, succulents, halophytes, lianas, epiphytes) associated with different climate-vegetation zones (equatorial rainforests, steppes, deserts, meditterenean vegetation, temperate deciduous forests, taiga, tundra).

Comparison of photosynthesis and respiration of plants from temperate and subtropical zones.

Plants adaptation to environmental factors (intensity and quality of light, temperature, water and mineral ingredients content, heavy metals, salinity) and their effect on the content of e.g.: photosynthetic pigments, amino acids, antioxidative enzymes, phytohormones. Dependence of CO2 fixation type (C3, C4, CAM) on the vegetation zone. Enzymes and photosynthetical metabolites in C3, C4 and CAM plants (malate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, malate, oxalacetate).

External factors (light, temperature) influencing chlorophyll-protein complexes

and photochemical activities in chloroplasts (PSI and PSII electron transport,

chlorophyll a fluorescence, ATP synthesis). Antioxidative enzymes induced by environmental factors (temperature, light intensity, UV radiation).

Metabolic transformation of C3 - CAM plants (measurements of marker enzymes and metabolites).

Acclimation of red alga C. merolae to light quality.

1 Kornaś J., Medwecka-Kornaś A. 2002. Geografia roślin. Wydaw. Nauk. PWN, Warszawa.

2. Lack A.J., Evans D.E. 2003. Biologia roślin. Krótkie wykłady. Wydaw. Nauk. PWN, Warszawa.

3. Podbielkowski Z. 1987. Roślinność kuli ziemskiej. WSiP, Warszawa.Roślinność kuli ziemskiej

4. Podbielkowski Z. 1991. Geografia roślin. WSiP, Warszawa.

5. Podbielkowski Z., Podbielkowska M. 1992. Przystosowania roślin do środowiska. WSiP, Warszawa.

6. Węglarska J., Węglarski K. 2006. Rośliny dalekiej Azji. Bogucki Wydaw. Nauk., Poznań.

7. Haborne J.B. 1997. Ekologia biochemiczna. PWN, Warszawa

8. Hopkins W.G., Norman P.,Huner A. 2004. Introduction to plant physiology. Wiley.

9. Larcher W. 2003. Physiological plant ecology. Ecophysiology and stress physiology of functional groups. Springer.

10. Lambers H., F.Stuart Chapin III Thijs L. Pons 1998. Plant physiological ecology. Springer.

KNOWLEDGE

The student gains knowledge about morphological structure of plants (including adaptive features of plants in different climate zones) and functioning of the organism as a whole. (K_W05)

The student gains knowledge about the biological diversity, phenomena and natural process associated with development of the biodiversity. (K_W09)

The student gains knowledge about general environmental conditions and the influence of environmental factors on development and functioning of plants. (K_W13)

The student gains knowledge about causes of the spatial distribution of plants in the world (particularly terrestrial plants). (K_W09)

The student understands the basic concepts of biochemical, plant physiology and environmental biology terminology. (K_W12)

The student knows the basic laboratory and measurement techniques used in biological and molecular biology research. (K_W14)

ABILITIES

Under the supervision of a coordinator the student is able to elaborate specific biological problems based on literature data and corresponding records. (K_U06)

The student is able to study the recommended literature on his/her own as well as use online resources. (K_U02)

The student is able to present a critical analysis of literature data in form of a written paper-essay. (K_U07)

The student is able to use correct scientific language in discussions and written communication. (K_U03)

The student uses the basic techniques and research tools of experimental biology and is able to explain how they work. (K_U01)

The student is able to present the obtained results as a multimedia presentation. (K_U07)

SOCIAL COMPETENCE

The student expands his/her interests within the field of biological sciences. (K_K01)

The student understands what research ethics and reliability are in conducting research and interpreting the obtained results for the functioning of society. (K_K03)

The student is able to work responsibly and effectively – independently or in a team. (K_K07)

The student feels the need to update the knowledge of the mechanisms of functioning of the plant organism. (K_K04)

The student understands the basic principles of safe biological experiment and knows how to act in case of an emergency. (K_K05)