Plant Physiology

Recommended Prerequisites

General knowledge of cell biology.

Teaching Methods

Lectures: concerning syllabus topics, using adequate audiovisual equipment.

Practicals: students in groups conduct an experimental work during 4 weeks (including tasks done beyond the practical classes with the support of the teacher), and prepare an oral presentation and a report (in the form of a scientific article). In the remaining classes, students complete experimental protocols in line with the theoretical lecture topics (protocols made available in advance).

Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is that students i) recognize the uniqueness of plant cells and the effect on plant physiology, ii) learn the relationship between morphology-anatomy-function in higher plants and iii) understand the integration and coordination of plant physiological processes. It is also important to develop students' research skills in plant physiology and motivate them to the practical applications, especially in agriculture and biotechnology.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Plants and water. Water relationships in plant cells. Water balance: absorption, transport and transpiration

2. Mineral nutrition. Plant mineral requirements; functions and symptoms of deficiencies. Soil microorganisms: mycorrhizas and biological nitrogen fixation. Some examples of practical applications (e.g. agriculture).

3. Nutrient assimilation (nitrogen)

4. Translocation in the phloem; sources and sinks. Mass Flow Hypothesis

5. Photosynthesis: photosynthetic pigments; Light-dependent reactions and CO2 fixation reactions; C3, C4 and CAM plants. Photorespiration, environmental factors and evolutionary consequences.

6. Respiration in plants; cellular respiration and photosynthesis; environmental factors affecting respiration.

7. Plant growth and development - hormonal regulation. Plant hormones: discovery and chemical nature, major physiological effects and practical applications.

Head Lecturer(s)

João Carlos Mano Castro Loureiro

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 10.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 20.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Taiz, L., Murphy, A. S., Peer, W. A., & Møller, I. M. (2024). Fundamentals of plant physiology (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., Møller, I. M., & Murphy, A. S. (2022). Plant physiology and development (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Kochhar, S. L., & Gujral, S. K. (2025). Plant physiology: Theory and applications (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Outra bibiografia revante e actual na forma de artigos científicos (e.g. Encyclopedia of Life Sciences) / Relevant and recent scientific papers (e.g. Encyclopedia of Life Sciences).