2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
BLGY3173 Plant Growth, Resources and Food Security
20 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Professor Christine Foyer
Email: C.Foyer@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
Pre-requisites
| BLGY2163 | How Plants Work |
Module replaces
BLGY3171This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Plants are primary producers, harnessing the energy that drives biomass production and underpins food security. This module provides an in-depth analysis of how plants capture light energy to drive the biosynthesis of compounds that directly and indirectly support plant growth and development. The integration and regulation of key metabolic pathways transport of nutrients and the key roles of metabolites in cellular and whole plant signalling are covered with a strong emphasis on relevance to environmental and food security issues, experimental approaches and current literature.Objectives
The course will cover:- Allocation and mobilisation of storage reserves during seed development and germination
- The mechanisms and regulation of photosynthesis will be explained, covering electron transport, carbon dioxide assimilation and carbohydrate synthesis and partitioning.
- The regulation of photosynthetic gene expression will be described and the acclimation of photosynthesis to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
- The uptake and assimilation of nitrogen and other nutrients in relation to availability in soils will be discussed together with adaptive mechanisms of plants to limiting soil nutrients and the importance of symbiotic interactions in the rhizosphere for increasing plant productivity.
- Amino acid synthesis and carbon-nitrogen interactions that control of plant development will be covered, as well as applied aspects such as preventing acrylamide production in food.
- Sulphur assimilation and the synthesis of glutathione will be described in relation to antioxidant functions.
- The production of reactive oxygen species and plant responses to environmental stress will be discussed.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- understand the mechanisms by which plants obtain light energy, carbon dioxide and inorganic nutrients, how they utilise this energy and the inorganic components to grow and how they interact with each other and with the environment to maximise their acquisition of energy and nutrients.
- understand about current research in this area, including experimental methodology, and they will be aware of recent developments in our knowledge of the subject.
Syllabus
- Importance of food security.
- The mechanisms of photosynthesis, from light interception and carbon dioxide assimilation to the production of starch, sucrose and amino within the context of climate change.
- The requirement for nutrients, their uptake and their availability in soils and the role of micro-organisms in this process.
- Resource partitioning and integration of carbon and nitrogen metabolism and its relationship to plant development.
- Transport and assimilation of nutrients in plants related to development from seed to seed.
- Metabolic signalling systems related to plant growth and defence.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 2 | 3.00 | 6.00 |
| Group learning | 3 | 1.00 | 3.00 |
| Lecture | 22 | 1.00 | 22.00 |
| Private study hours | 169.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 31.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
- 2 assessed literature reviews (10% each) requiring independent research of current literature and synthesis of ideas into a coherent essay. The first will address the regulation of photosynthesis and how climate change might affect this process in C3 and C4 crops leading to effects on the yields of major crops such as wheat and maize. The second review will address the current knowledge of plant-rhizobia symbiosis, requiring in depth analysis of literature.- 2 PowerPoint presentations (10%) requiring independent research of current literature and development of presentation skills, together with group discussion and analysis.
- Substantial further reading and private study will need to be demonstrated in all assessments.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Literature review to be submitted at the end of first month, written feedback 2 weeks later.Literature review to be submitted at the end of second month, written feedback 2 weeks later.
- Poster presentation and group discussions of the topic.
Structured discussions give students an indication of how well they understand the subject.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Literature Review | 2000 words | 10.00 |
| Literature Review | 2000 words | 10.00 |
| Oral Presentation | 10 minute oral presentation | 10.00 |
| Poster Presentation | 10 minute presentation | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Unseen exam | 3 hr 00 mins | 60.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 04/04/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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