ECTS
ECTS Course Catalogue
Course details
Course code: RSSS20357f14Semester: 2014/2015 winter
Name: Ecophysiological Aspects of Plant Responses to Stress
Major: Environmental Protection
Study Type: second cycle
Course type: optional
Study Semester: 2
ECTS points: 4
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 15 / 30 / 0
Lecturer: Dr Elżbieta Sacała
Language of instruction: Polish / English
Learning outcomes: Knowledge: Student has expanded knowledge on the molecular, biochemical and physiological effects of (biotic and abiotic) stress factors on plants. Student knows and understands processes that are involved in signal transduction pathways and defence mechanisms in plants. Student knows experimental methods used in the assessment of stress reaction. Student knows ways/methods that might alleviate negative effect of environmental stresses. Skills: Student is able to plan and carry out the laboratory experiments, analyse and interpret the experimental data. Student himself analyses comprehensively the primary and secondary effects of stress factors on plants. He is able to get information from the literature and other sources to interpret the results and assess the level of metabolic disorders caused by stress factors. Student is able to evaluate critically and take advantage of special proposals directed to increasing the resistance of plants to environmental stresses.
Competences: Personal and social competences: Student is able to work in a team.He is able to think and act creatively.He is able to anticipate the effects of stress factors on plants and propose methods for limiting their negative impact on plants. Student understands the need for self-improvement and continuous training.
Prerequisites: Botany, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Course content: Biotic and abiotic stress factors. Adaptation and acclimation. Phase sequences in stress responses of plants. Common components and pathways induced in plants by the stress. Changes in plant hormonal status (role of abscisic acid, jasmonates, ethylene and nitric oxide). Overproduction of active oxygen species. Stress metabolites (proline, betaines, polyols) and stress proteins (HSP, LEA, PR). Plant response to selected environmental stresses with emphasis on environmental pollutants (heavy metals, xenobiotics, salinity, atmosphere pollution).
Recommended literature: Buchanan B., Gruissem W., Jones R. 2000. Biochemistry and molecular biology of plants. American Society of Plant Physiologists, Rockville, Maryland. Larcher W. 1995. Physiological Plant Ecology. Springer, Berlin. Sinha R.K. 2004. Modern Plant Physiology. Alpha Science International Ltd. Pangbourne England www.plantstress.com
Assessment methods: Knowledge: written tests Skills:current lab reports with grades; assessment of final/summarizing presentation and interpretation of all obtained experimental data. Personal and social competences: assessment of a team-work and an engagement in summarizing disscusion.
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