Plant Development and Function

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Have written up findings in several different types of assignment.
• Have an awareness of safety in the laboratory
• Have worked as part of a team
• Used statistics and graphics packages to present practical findings
• Be competent in a number of plant related techniques.
• Have an understanding of the major developmental events in the life of a plant
• Be able to describe aspects of plant function including response to light and other organisms; hormones; phloem transport; cell wall biosynthesis and senescence.

This module will centre on the study of growth and development processes in higher plants both at the level of the cell and the whole organisms and in relation to the environment. It will also cover plant interactions with other organisms and plant defence mechanisms. Functional aspects related to development will also be considered. The major growth and development features of the plant will be discussed as will impacts of abiotic and biotic stress. The responses of the plant to light and the role of phytochrome will be considered, as will the changes occurring at the onset of senescence. The mechanisms of short and long distance transport will be described as will the biosynthesis of the cell wall. The module also considers the relevance of developmental processes in a changing environment, with particular emphasis on the role of model organisms in determining gene function and the manipulation of plant characteristics using biotechnology.

Lectures, practicals.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.