Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
ΒΒ0406 | ECTS: 6
Theory: 4 hours/week
Learning Outcomes
The main objective of the course is to provide the fundamental concepts of plant biochemistry and physiology, as supported by the most recent scientific research.
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the biochemical processes of photosynthesis, sugar and starch biosynthesis, their endogenous regulatory mechanisms, and the adaptations induced by environmental conditions.
- Describe the main differences in primary metabolism between plant and animal organisms.
- Be familiar with the major biosynthetic pathways involved in the production of phytohormones and secondary metabolites in plants.
- Understand and describe the fundamental biochemical processes and strategies found in plant species that are related to the photoassimilation of essential nutrients.
- Understand the role and interactions of endogenous factors (phytohormones) that determine and regulate plant growth and development, as well as the coordination of physiological responses at the cellular and whole-organism levels.
- Understand plant interactions with biotic factors in their environment and plant responses to abiotic stresses at both the cellular and whole-organism levels.
- Possess a basic theoretical background on plant responses to light.
- Approach basic research in plant biology through its connection with ensuring the production of plant-derived products for various uses and the development of innovative applications.
Analytical Description of the Course
Introduction – Why do we study plants?
Plants and “Water”
- Water uptake, ion fluxes
- Inorganic Nutrients (uptake, cellular and long-distance transport – transport mechanisms and systems, nitrogen assimilation, biological nitrogen fixation, sulfur assimilation, phosphorus assimilation, iron and metal uptake strategies, other inorganic nutrients)
Plants and Energy / Metabolism
- Photosynthesis (photosynthetic complexes, pigments, photon absorption, light reactions, electron transport, photophosphorylation, photoinhibition, CO₂ assimilation, regulatory mechanisms, pigment biosynthesis)
- Photorespiration
- C₄ / CAM metabolism
- Impact of climate change on the photosynthetic capacity of plants
- Starch and Sucrose (biosynthesis, transport and distribution, degradation, regulation – transport of biomolecules in the phloem)
- Respiration (basic differences and alternative pathways in plant organisms compared to animals in glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, anaerobic respiration; effects of environmental factors)
- Secondary Metabolism (biosynthesis, biological role)
- Hormones (biosynthesis, catabolism, transport, physiological role, mechanism of action)
- Photobiology (photoreceptors, photomorphogenesis, light-regulated responses, tropisms, circadian rhythms)
Plants and the Environment
- Biotic interactions (pathogens, pests, parasitism, allelopathy, defense mechanisms, systemic defense induction, SAR, ISR, hypersensitive response, beneficial microorganisms, rhizobia, mycorrhizae, endophytes, rhizosphere microbiome and their role in plant defense, nutrition, and growth promotion)
- Abiotic stresses (oxidative stress and biochemical mechanisms of avoidance and response, responses to drought stress, temperature stress, hypoxia)
Student Performance Evaluation
Student performance in the course is assessed through written examinations conducted at two stages: during the semester (midterm/progress examination) and through a final examination during the official examination period.
Suggested Bibliography
- Plant Physiology and Development, Taiz, Zeiger, Møller, Murphy, 2017, in Greek, ed. UTOPIA
- Plant Physiology, Hopkins and Hunner, In Greek, ed. Parisianou
Teaching Material / E-class
Lecturers
