Plant Biochemistry - W 1400-216BCHR-W
Topics: 1. General characteristics and compartmentation of metabolic processes in plant cells. Metabolic semi-autonomy of plastids. Structure and expression of chloroplast genome. Transport of proteins from cytosol to chloroplasts. 2. "Light" and "dark" phase of photosynthesis. Structure and function of photosystems I and II. Structure and function of photosynthetic electron transport chain. Mechanisms of cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation. Benson-Calvin cycle and its regulation. 3. Molecular aspects of photorespiration. Primary reactions of CO2 fixation in C4 and CAM plants. Metabolic types of C4 plants. Regulation of C4 photosynthesis. 4. Plant carbohydrates and their metabolism. Interconversions of monosaccharides. Mechanisms of glycosidic bonds formation in plants.
Biosynthesis, transport and degradation of sucrose. Biosynthesis of storage oligo- and polysaccharides: raffinose and its homologues, polyfructans, amylose and amylopectin. Degradation of storage starch. 5. Structural organization of plant cell walls. Biosynthesis of main polysaccharide components of cell walls: cellulose, pectins and hemicelluloses. Structure and biosynthesis of lignin. 6. Structure of storage and structural plant lipids. Biosynthesis of saturated fatty acids. Fatty acid desaturation and elongation in plant cells. Biosynthesis of storage triacylglycerols. Biosynthetic pathways of structural plant lipids: glycerophospholipids, galactosylglycerols and cerebrosides. Mobilization of storage lipids. Lipolysis. ß-Oxidation, ?-oxidation, and ?-oxidation of fatty acids. Lipooxygenases in fatty acid degradation. Glyoxalate cycle. 7. Primary nitrogen and sulfur metabolism in plants. Molecular aspects of plant - root bacteria symbiosis. Structure and function of nitrogenase complex. Uptake and reduction of nitrates. Main pathways of biosynthesis of nitrogenous organic compounds. Sulfur metabolism: uptake and reduction of sulfates. Biosynthesis of sulfur-containing amino acids. 8. Modern views on the role and importance of secondary plant metabolism. The polyketides - aromatic ring formation. 9. Isoprenoids (terpenoids). Biosynthetic pathway of 5-carbon isoprenyl units in cytosol (the mevalonic acid pathway) and chloroplast (Rohmer pathway). Mechanism of chain elongation and cyclization. 10. Classification and biosynthesis of phenolic compounds (the shikimic acid pathway) and further transformations of phenylpropanoids. 11. Secondary nitrogen metabolites in plants (non-protein amino acids, cyanogenous glycosides, glucosinolanes). 12. Alkaloids and pseudoalkaloids. 13. Basic ecological biochemistry of plants. 14. Biochemical aspects of plant-plan, plant-pathogen and plant-herbivore interactions. 15. The state and perspectives of plant biochemistry achievements in biotechnology.
Type of course
obligatory courses
Requirements
Prerequisites
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
Has broad knowledge of the various aspects of plant biochemistry
Knows : (i) characteristics and compartmentation of metabolic processes in plant cells and their interaction and regulation, (ii) a large diversity of functions of plant metabolites in cell, plant and environmental, (iii) the application of plant natural products in medicine and in food and cosmetic industry.
ABILITIES
Has knowledge of a modern language (Polish or English) sufficient for using electronic resources and scientific literature devoted to broadly defined plant biochemistry.
Is able to stady on his/her own and focus on the study area.
SOCIAL AWARENESS
Appreciates the importance of plants for people.
Is careful and critical when acquiring and interpreting knowledge in plant biochemistry.
Understands the need for informing the public about lates achievements in plant biochemistry and is able to pass this knowledge in an intelligible way.
Assessment criteria
Exam in a written form
Practical placement
No
Bibliography
1. BB Buchanan, W Gruissem, RL Jones. "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants, IV edition. American Society of Plant Physiologists, Rockville, 2002.
2. HW Heldt, Plant Biochemistry. Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego, 2005.
3. A Crozier, MN Clifford, H Ashihara (editors). Plant Secondary Metabolites, Blackwell Publishing, 2006.
4. AE Osbourn, V Lanzotti (editors). Plant-derived Natural Products, Synthesis, Function and Application, Springer, Norwich 2009.
Przedmiot: BIOCHEMIA ROŚLIN (semestr letni, 30 godz. wykładów)
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: