PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Course objectives
General skills The course aims to provide knowledge on the physiological and biochemical mechanisms that allow plants to live in different environments. The course starts from the study of water and nutrient transports to reach important topics such as photosynthesis, photoreceptors and plant hormones. The student will acquire knowledge on the interaction between light, water and carbon dioxide. They will learn the biochemical mechanisms of photosynthesis in both light reactions and Calvin cycle. He will be able to distinguish between the various photosynthetic metabolisms (C3, C4, CAM) and to understand the molecular and physiological basis of the symbiotic interactions between plants and mycorrhizal fungi or nitrogen fixing bacteria. The initial contents of the course are linked to those of the courses of Cellular Biology, General and Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Botany Biology and Plant Diversity. The course includes theoretical and methodological lectures, dedicated to techniques and innovative approaches related to plant physiology and biotechnology. Specific skills A) Knowledge and understanding -Knowledge of the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the main physiological processes of the plant -Knowledge of the mechanisms by which the plant is able to transform light energy into chemical energy; -Knowledge of the mechanisms that allow the plant to recover mineral nutrients from the environment; -Understanding the main plant metabolic pathways. -Understanding the processes that plant exploits to react to environmental changes using hormones and photoreceptors. -Knowledge of basic techniques for the study of plant physiology. B) Applying knowledge and understanding The student will acquire the skills of: -Use the correct scientific terminology; -Predict the mechanisms by which the plant reacts to changes in environmental conditions; -Use the simplest techniques at the base of plant biotechnologies by planning simple experimental protocols C) Making judgements -The student will acquire autonomy of judgment in the recognition of the molecular mechanism at the base of plant physiology, for the adequacy of the various analytical techniques, for the interpretation of protocols of genetic transformation and for the interpretation of experimental laboratory data. -The student will learn to ask the right questions to himself for the elaboration and deepening of the knowledge learned. D) Communication skills The student will be stimulated to expose the concepts exposed in the classroom so that he can be able to correctly communicate the knowledge learned. E) Learning skills The student will acquire a study method that allows the understanding of specific topics related to plant physiology. He will acquire the ability to understand the specific terminology, logically connect the acquired knowledge obtaining mastery of the relevant themes of plant physiology.
Channel 1
VINCENZO LIONETTI
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
The course includes 64 hours of frontal teaching and 12 hours of educational workshops and methodological lessons (x3):
THEORETICAL LESSONS (64 HOURS).
INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS (8 hours)
-Metabolic and functional characteristics of the plant cell: endoplasmic reticulum, vacuole, peroxisomes, gliossisomes, protein bodies, oleosomes, plastids. The plant cell wall: composition, architecture and biosynthesis. Molecular basis of plasmodesmata function.
WATER BALANCE, TRANSPORT OF SOLUTES (6 hours)
-Electrochemical potential and water potential. Components of water potential - The movement of water in the plant. Long distance transport. Radical pressure, cohesion-tension model. Continuum soil-plant-atmosphere. Water transport from the ground to the root. Structure of the xylem. Water transport. Transpiration. The stomata: structure and mechanisms of control of the stomata opening and closing.
NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND ASSIMILATION (8 hours)
-Ionic pumps. Physiological meaning of the electrical membrane potential. Mineral plant nutrition. Symbiotic fungi: the mycorrhizae. Nitrogen metabolism. Fixation of nitrogen. Leguminose-rhizobium symbiosis. Nitrogen Assimilation.
PHOTOSNTHESIS (12 hours)
-Photosynthesis. Photosynthetic pigments. Spatial organization and function of photosystems. Non-cyclic transport of electrons, electron acceptors and donors. Proton transport and photophosphorylation. Cyclic and pseudocyclic transport. Spillover. Calvin cycle and its regulation. Photorespiration. Systems for concentrating CO2: Plants C4. Acid metabolism of crassulaceae. Biosynthesis of sucrose and starch and mechanisms of regulation.
PHLOEM TRANSPORT AND CATABOLISM (8 hours)
-Phloem transport. The pressure flow model. Characteristics of phloem translocation: source-sink relationship. Phloem loading and unloading. Distribution of assimilates.- Catabolism-Pentose Phosphate pathway Gluconeogenesis
-PHOTORECEPTORS (6 hours)
-Photomorphogenesis. Photoreceptors of red and blue light: Phytochrome, cryptochromes and phototropins. Responses to red and blue light. Transduction of the light signal.
-PLANT HORMONES (12 hours)
-Plant hormones. Auxins. Cytokinins. Gibberellins. Abscissic acid. Ethylene and fruit. Perception and transduction of the hormonal signal.
-SEED AND FLOWERING (4 hours)
-Seed physiology. Glyoxylate cycle. Overview of photoperiodism and flowering.
METHODOLOGICAL LESSONS AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS (12 HOURS X 3):
- methods of biochemical characterization of the cell wall
- methods of extraction and quantification of vegetable pigments
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the courses of Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Botany and Plant Diversity.
Principles of thermodynamics, glycolysis, pentose phosphate cycle, tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial respiration are fundamental
Books
TAIZ L. - Fisiologia vegetale, Quarta edizione Italiana 2012 PICCIN.
LIONETTI V. - Fisiologia Vegetale Applicata 2020 Piccin.
For news on textbooks and teaching materials see:(https://elearning2.uniroma1.it/login/index.php).
Teaching mode
The course is structured in frontal theoretical lessons. The lessons are held in the classroom or in remote using slides on Power Point.
The course includes laboratory activities.
Frequency
The frequency of teaching classes is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.
Exam mode
The exam aims to verify the level of knowledge of the topics of the syllabus and the reasoning skills developed by the student. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum grade 18/30, maximum mark 30/30 with honors).
The exam allows the teacher to verify the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and skills acquired as well as communication skills.
Lesson mode
The course is structured in frontal theoretical lessons. The lessons are held in the classroom or in remote using slides on Power Point.
The course includes laboratory activities.
VINCENZO LIONETTI
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
The course includes 64 hours of frontal teaching and 12 hours of educational workshops and methodological lessons (x3):
THEORETICAL LESSONS (64 HOURS).
INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS (8 hours)
-Metabolic and functional characteristics of the plant cell: endoplasmic reticulum, vacuole, peroxisomes, gliossisomes, protein bodies, oleosomes, plastids. The plant cell wall: composition, architecture and biosynthesis. Molecular basis of plasmodesmata function.
WATER BALANCE, TRANSPORT OF SOLUTES (6 hours)
-Electrochemical potential and water potential. Components of water potential - The movement of water in the plant. Long distance transport. Radical pressure, cohesion-tension model. Continuum soil-plant-atmosphere. Water transport from the ground to the root. Structure of the xylem. Water transport. Transpiration. The stomata: structure and mechanisms of control of the stomata opening and closing.
NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND ASSIMILATION (8 hours)
-Ionic pumps. Physiological meaning of the electrical membrane potential. Mineral plant nutrition. Symbiotic fungi: the mycorrhizae. Nitrogen metabolism. Fixation of nitrogen. Leguminose-rhizobium symbiosis. Nitrogen Assimilation.
PHOTOSNTHESIS (12 hours)
-Photosynthesis. Photosynthetic pigments. Spatial organization and function of photosystems. Non-cyclic transport of electrons, electron acceptors and donors. Proton transport and photophosphorylation. Cyclic and pseudocyclic transport. Spillover. Calvin cycle and its regulation. Photorespiration. Systems for concentrating CO2: Plants C4. Acid metabolism of crassulaceae. Biosynthesis of sucrose and starch and mechanisms of regulation.
PHLOEM TRANSPORT AND CATABOLISM (8 hours)
-Phloem transport. The pressure flow model. Characteristics of phloem translocation: source-sink relationship. Phloem loading and unloading. Distribution of assimilates.- Catabolism-Pentose Phosphate pathway Gluconeogenesis
-PHOTORECEPTORS (6 hours)
-Photomorphogenesis. Photoreceptors of red and blue light: Phytochrome, cryptochromes and phototropins. Responses to red and blue light. Transduction of the light signal.
-PLANT HORMONES (12 hours)
-Plant hormones. Auxins. Cytokinins. Gibberellins. Abscissic acid. Ethylene and fruit. Perception and transduction of the hormonal signal.
-SEED AND FLOWERING (4 hours)
-Seed physiology. Glyoxylate cycle. Overview of photoperiodism and flowering.
METHODOLOGICAL LESSONS AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS (12 HOURS X 3):
- methods of biochemical characterization of the cell wall
- methods of extraction and quantification of vegetable pigments
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the courses of Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Botany and Plant Diversity.
Principles of thermodynamics, glycolysis, pentose phosphate cycle, tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial respiration are fundamental
Books
TAIZ L. - Fisiologia vegetale, Quarta edizione Italiana 2012 PICCIN.
LIONETTI V. - Fisiologia Vegetale Applicata 2020 Piccin.
For news on textbooks and teaching materials see:(https://elearning2.uniroma1.it/login/index.php).
Teaching mode
The course is structured in frontal theoretical lessons. The lessons are held in the classroom or in remote using slides on Power Point.
The course includes laboratory activities.
Frequency
The frequency of teaching classes is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.
Exam mode
The exam aims to verify the level of knowledge of the topics of the syllabus and the reasoning skills developed by the student. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum grade 18/30, maximum mark 30/30 with honors).
The exam allows the teacher to verify the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and skills acquired as well as communication skills.
Lesson mode
The course is structured in frontal theoretical lessons. The lessons are held in the classroom or in remote using slides on Power Point.
The course includes laboratory activities.
Channel 2
GIULIA DE LORENZO
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
See also the web page of the course on the elearning platform:
https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334
As part of the Plant Physiology course, which provides a total of 76 hours of frontal teaching divided into theoretical lessons and methodological lessons, this module includes 48 hours of frontal teaching according to the following programme:
INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS (8 hours)
-Metabolic and functional characteristics of the plant cell: endoplasmic reticulum, vacuole, peroxisomes, gliossisomes, protein bodies, oleosomes, plastids. The plant cell wall: composition, architecture and biosynthesis. Molecular basis of plasmodesmata function.
WATER BALANCE, TRANSPORT OF SOLUTES (6 hours)
-Electrochemical potential and water potential. Components of water potential - The movement of water in the plant. Long distance transport. Radical pressure, cohesion-tension model. Continuum soil-plant-atmosphere. Water transport from the ground to the root. Structure of the xylem. Water transport. Transpiration. The stomata: structure and mechanisms of control of the stomata opening and closing.
NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND ASSIMILATION (8 hours)
-Ionic pumps. Physiological meaning of the electrical membrane potential. Mineral plant nutrition. Symbiotic fungi: the mycorrhizae. Nitrogen metabolism. Fixation of nitrogen. Leguminose-rhizobium symbiosis. Nitrogen Assimilation.
PHOTOSNTHESIS (12 hours)
-Photosynthesis. Photosynthetic pigments. Spatial organization and function of photosystems. Non-cyclic transport of electrons, electron acceptors and donors. Proton transport and photophosphorylation. Cyclic and pseudocyclic transport. Spillover. Calvin cycle and its regulation. Photorespiration. Systems for concentrating CO2: Plants C4. Acid metabolism of crassulaceae. Biosynthesis of sucrose and starch and mechanisms of regulation.
PHLOEM TRANSPORT AND CATABOLISM (8 hours)
-Phloem transport. The pressure flow model. Characteristics of phloem translocation: source-sink relationship. Phloem loading and unloading. Distribution of assimilates.- Catabolism-Pentose Phosphate pathway Gluconeogenesis
-PHOTORECEPTORS (6 hours)
-Photomorphogenesis. Photoreceptors of red and blue light: Phytochrome, cryptochromes and phototropins. Responses to red and blue light. Transduction of the light signal.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisites: Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Botany and Plant Diversity
Substantial prerequisites: Notions of thermodynamics, Glycolysis, Pentose phosphate cycle, Tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial respiration; basic notions of Molecular Biology
Books
-L. TAIZ, E. ZIEGER: “Fisiologia vegetale”, Quarta edizione Italiana 2012 (PICCIN).
-BUCHANAN-GRUISSEM-JONES: “Biochimica e biologia molecolare delle piante”, 2003, American Society of Plant Physiologists – Rockville-Maryland (ed. Zanichelli)
For updates on textbooks and teaching materials see: (https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334).
Teaching mode
The course includes lectures and laboratory lessons with the use of telematic supports. Through lectures, students learn the fundamental knowledge of the discipline. The laboratories and methodological lessons are instead aimed at learning the main experimental approaches inherent to plant physiology. The student learns how to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete problems. The slides presented in class, including the methodological lessons, are provided to students in the online teaching materials on https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334.
Frequency
Attendance of the classes is not mandatory, albeit strongly encouraged.
Exam mode
The final examination is an oral exam based on questions regarding the complete syllabus. Students can also choose to be examined with "in itinere" evaluation with three written tests. Results will be considered during the evaluation phase. Those unable to perform the "in itinere" evaluation can regularly participate to the oral examination on the official dates proposed.
Bibliography
For updated information about references and teaching materials see the web page of the course at https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334
Lesson mode
The course includes lectures and laboratory lessons with the use of telematic supports. Through lectures, students learn the fundamental knowledge of the discipline. The laboratories and methodological lessons are instead aimed at learning the main experimental approaches inherent to plant physiology. The student learns how to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete problems. The slides presented in class, including the methodological lessons, are provided to students in the online teaching materials on https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334.
GIULIA DE LORENZO
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
See also the web page of the course on the elearning platform:
https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334
As part of the Plant Physiology course, which provides a total of 76 hours of frontal teaching divided into theoretical lessons and methodological lessons, this module includes 48 hours of frontal teaching according to the following programme:
INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS (8 hours)
-Metabolic and functional characteristics of the plant cell: endoplasmic reticulum, vacuole, peroxisomes, gliossisomes, protein bodies, oleosomes, plastids. The plant cell wall: composition, architecture and biosynthesis. Molecular basis of plasmodesmata function.
WATER BALANCE, TRANSPORT OF SOLUTES (6 hours)
-Electrochemical potential and water potential. Components of water potential - The movement of water in the plant. Long distance transport. Radical pressure, cohesion-tension model. Continuum soil-plant-atmosphere. Water transport from the ground to the root. Structure of the xylem. Water transport. Transpiration. The stomata: structure and mechanisms of control of the stomata opening and closing.
NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND ASSIMILATION (8 hours)
-Ionic pumps. Physiological meaning of the electrical membrane potential. Mineral plant nutrition. Symbiotic fungi: the mycorrhizae. Nitrogen metabolism. Fixation of nitrogen. Leguminose-rhizobium symbiosis. Nitrogen Assimilation.
PHOTOSNTHESIS (12 hours)
-Photosynthesis. Photosynthetic pigments. Spatial organization and function of photosystems. Non-cyclic transport of electrons, electron acceptors and donors. Proton transport and photophosphorylation. Cyclic and pseudocyclic transport. Spillover. Calvin cycle and its regulation. Photorespiration. Systems for concentrating CO2: Plants C4. Acid metabolism of crassulaceae. Biosynthesis of sucrose and starch and mechanisms of regulation.
PHLOEM TRANSPORT AND CATABOLISM (8 hours)
-Phloem transport. The pressure flow model. Characteristics of phloem translocation: source-sink relationship. Phloem loading and unloading. Distribution of assimilates.- Catabolism-Pentose Phosphate pathway Gluconeogenesis
-PHOTORECEPTORS (6 hours)
-Photomorphogenesis. Photoreceptors of red and blue light: Phytochrome, cryptochromes and phototropins. Responses to red and blue light. Transduction of the light signal.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisites: Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Botany and Plant Diversity
Substantial prerequisites: Notions of thermodynamics, Glycolysis, Pentose phosphate cycle, Tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial respiration; basic notions of Molecular Biology
Books
-L. TAIZ, E. ZIEGER: “Fisiologia vegetale”, Quarta edizione Italiana 2012 (PICCIN).
-BUCHANAN-GRUISSEM-JONES: “Biochimica e biologia molecolare delle piante”, 2003, American Society of Plant Physiologists – Rockville-Maryland (ed. Zanichelli)
For updates on textbooks and teaching materials see: (https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334).
Teaching mode
The course includes lectures and laboratory lessons with the use of telematic supports. Through lectures, students learn the fundamental knowledge of the discipline. The laboratories and methodological lessons are instead aimed at learning the main experimental approaches inherent to plant physiology. The student learns how to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete problems. The slides presented in class, including the methodological lessons, are provided to students in the online teaching materials on https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334.
Frequency
Attendance of the classes is not mandatory, albeit strongly encouraged.
Exam mode
The final examination is an oral exam based on questions regarding the complete syllabus. Students can also choose to be examined with "in itinere" evaluation with three written tests. Results will be considered during the evaluation phase. Those unable to perform the "in itinere" evaluation can regularly participate to the oral examination on the official dates proposed.
Bibliography
For updated information about references and teaching materials see the web page of the course at https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334
Lesson mode
The course includes lectures and laboratory lessons with the use of telematic supports. Through lectures, students learn the fundamental knowledge of the discipline. The laboratories and methodological lessons are instead aimed at learning the main experimental approaches inherent to plant physiology. The student learns how to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete problems. The slides presented in class, including the methodological lessons, are provided to students in the online teaching materials on https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334.
DANIELA PONTIGGIA
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
The course module includes 16 hours of frontal teaching and 12 hours of teaching laboratories and methodological lessons (x3):
• Growth and development( 2 hours):
overview of the transduction pathway in the plant cell. plant hormones. perception and transduction of the hormonal signal
•Plant hormones (10 hours):
auxins. cytokinins. ethylene and fruit. gibberellins. abscissic acid and seed physiology. notes on brassinosteroids.
•Overview of photoperiodism and flowering (2 hours)
•Genetic transformation of plants applied to plant physiology studies (2 hours)
•Teaching laboratory (12 hours)
• methods of cell wall biochemical characterization
• methods of extraction and quantification of plant pigments
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisites: Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Botany and Plant Diversity
Substantial prerequisites: Notions of thermodynamics, Glycolysis, Pentose phosphate cycle, Tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial respiration
Books
-L. TAIZ, E. ZIEGER: “Fisiologia vegetale”, Quarta edizione Italiana 2012 (PICCIN). ,or Rascio et al. 'Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale' (EdiSES)
Additional teaching material online at https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334
Teaching mode
The course consists of lectures. During the lessons, the teacher stimulates the students with questions related to what has just been presented, with the aim of making them participate and stimulate the study at home. Students are invited to read the textbooks recommended at the beginning of the course and the additional teaching material, where they can find the topics proposed in class.
Frequency
Attending lessons is highly recommended.
Exam mode
The modality of the examination involves the participation in a preliminary written test, carried out at the end of the course for a preliminary assessment of the student. The exam then takes place as an oral exam. In the written test the student is asked to answer a quiz with 31 multiple-choice questions, in which he must demonstrate understanding of the main concepts presented in class.
Lesson mode
The course consists of lectures. During the lessons, the teacher stimulates the students with questions related to what has just been presented, with the aim of making them participate and stimulate the study at home. Students are invited to read the textbooks recommended at the beginning of the course and the additional teaching material, where they can find the topics proposed in class.
DANIELA PONTIGGIA
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
The course module includes 16 hours of frontal teaching and 12 hours of teaching laboratories and methodological lessons (x3):
• Growth and development( 2 hours):
overview of the transduction pathway in the plant cell. plant hormones. perception and transduction of the hormonal signal
•Plant hormones (10 hours):
auxins. cytokinins. ethylene and fruit. gibberellins. abscissic acid and seed physiology. notes on brassinosteroids.
•Overview of photoperiodism and flowering (2 hours)
•Genetic transformation of plants applied to plant physiology studies (2 hours)
•Teaching laboratory (12 hours)
• methods of cell wall biochemical characterization
• methods of extraction and quantification of plant pigments
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisites: Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Botany and Plant Diversity
Substantial prerequisites: Notions of thermodynamics, Glycolysis, Pentose phosphate cycle, Tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial respiration
Books
-L. TAIZ, E. ZIEGER: “Fisiologia vegetale”, Quarta edizione Italiana 2012 (PICCIN). ,or Rascio et al. 'Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale' (EdiSES)
Additional teaching material online at https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=1334
Teaching mode
The course consists of lectures. During the lessons, the teacher stimulates the students with questions related to what has just been presented, with the aim of making them participate and stimulate the study at home. Students are invited to read the textbooks recommended at the beginning of the course and the additional teaching material, where they can find the topics proposed in class.
Frequency
Attending lessons is highly recommended.
Exam mode
The modality of the examination involves the participation in a preliminary written test, carried out at the end of the course for a preliminary assessment of the student. The exam then takes place as an oral exam. In the written test the student is asked to answer a quiz with 31 multiple-choice questions, in which he must demonstrate understanding of the main concepts presented in class.
Lesson mode
The course consists of lectures. During the lessons, the teacher stimulates the students with questions related to what has just been presented, with the aim of making them participate and stimulate the study at home. Students are invited to read the textbooks recommended at the beginning of the course and the additional teaching material, where they can find the topics proposed in class.
- Lesson code1011780
- Academic year2024/2025
- CourseBiology
- CurriculumGenerale
- Year3rd year
- Semester1st semester
- SSDBIO/04
- CFU6
- Subject areaDiscipline biologiche