20536 Plant Physiology 1
Credits: 6 advanced credits in Life Sciences
Prerequisites: Students must fulfill all English requirements and take bibliographic instruction in the Library.
Required: Biochemistry I, Cell Structure and Function (single-semester format or year-long format), Plants and Vegetation
The course is based on a translation, by Avinoam Adam and Zivi Raanan, of Plant Physiology (2nd ed.), by L. Taiz and E. Zeiger (Sinauer, 1998).
Plant physiology deals with processes that enable plants to exist, develop and reproduce. The study of these processes is conducted on different levels, from soluble molecules in cellular compartments, through organelles (the sub-cellular level), cells, intercellular relations (tissues), and to the entire plant.
The first part of the course deals with metabolic processes (photosynthesis, photorespiration, assimilation of mineral nutrients, including nitrogen fixation); the second part deals with the nature of plant development processes and the effect of environmental stimuli on these processes. The course includes two laboratory sessions and a field trip to the Volcani Agricultural Research Center.
Chapters: 7 – Photosynthesis: The light reactions; 8 – Photosynthesis: Carbon reactions; 9 –Photosynthesis: Physiological and ecological considerations; 12 – Assimilation of mineral nutrients; 17 – Phytochrome and light control of plant development; 18 – Blue-light responses: Stomatal movements and morphogenesis; 19-23 – Plant hormones: Auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, abscisic acid; 24 – The control of flowering.
1There is some overlap in the content of this and other courses. For details, see Overlapping Courses.