BOT 201: PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Purpose
The course is intended to equip the learner with basic knowledge in physiological processes in
plants and skills of determining plant physiological activities.
Expected learning Outcomes
The course will enable learners to;
1. Describe the pathways of water movement
2. Identify essential and non essential elements and explain their roles in plant nutrition..
3. Discuss the mechanisms of translocation of photosynthetic products.
4. Describe Secretory and Excretory System in plants.
Course Content
Plant water relations; plant water balance; Water Stress Physiology; plant nutrition and
Assimilation of Mineral Nutrients; transport of ions across membranes. Translocation; role of
ATP, cell membrane and proton pumps in movement of substances. Secretory and Excretory
System
COURSE OUTLINE:
1 Introduction to plant physiology
2 Plant water relations and translocation mechanisms
3 Transpiration and factors affecting the process
4 Water stress in plants
5 CAT 1
6 Plant nutrition: micro and macro elements
7 Soil as a nutrient medium
8 Soil microorganism
9 Nutrient assimilation, deficiency and toxicity
10 CAT 2
11 Excretion in plants
12 Plant secretions
13 Exams
14 Exams
Mode of Delivery
Lectures, discussions, practicals and library research
Instructional Materials/Equipment
Chalkboard, plant specimen, handouts, LCD projector and spectrophotomer,
Course Assessment:
Continuous assessment tests (CATs) 20%, Assignments/Practical reports 10%, Final written
examination 70%, TOTAL 100%.
Core reference materials
1 Fosket, Donald E. (1994). Plant Growth and Development: A Molecular Approach. San
Diego: Academic Press. pp. 498–509. ISBN 0-12-262430-0.
2 Hopkins, W.B. (1999). Introduction to Plant Physiology. 2nd Ed. John Wiley and Sons.
New York Robinson,
3 Salisbury F.B. and Ross C.B. (1992). Plant Physiology. 5 th Edition. Wadsworth Publishing
Co. Belmont CA.
4 Trevor. (2000). The Organic Constituents of Higher Plants, page 183 (Minneapolis:
Burgess Publishing).
Recommended Reference materials
1. Ihsan Illahi (1995). Plant Physiology, Biochemical Processes in Plants, UGC Press.
2. Taiz, L. and Zeiger, E. (2006). Plant Physiology. 4th. Ed. Sinauers Publ. Co. Inc. Calif.
Witham and Devlin. (1986) Exercises in Plant Physiology, AWS Publishers
INTRODUCTION
- Plant physiology is the study of plant function and behaviour, encompassing all the
dynamic processes of growth, metabolism, reproduction, defence, and
communication that account for plants being alive
Or
- Plant Physiology is defined as “the science of how plants develop, grow and respond to
their environment at the cellular and biochemical level.”
It is the sub–discipline of Botany which focuses on functioning and physiology of plants.
Some of the fundamental processes included in plant physiology are
Plant nutrition, Photoperiodism, Function of stomata, Growth , reproduction, defence,
communication
NB: Plant physiology refers to the study of the functions occurring in plants.
Examples of vital processes included and their working:
i) Metabolism
ii) Mineral nutrition
iii) Development
iv) Water relations
v) Movement
vi) Growth
vii) Transport
Why it is important to study Plant Physiology?
i) Plants are the physical machines and plant physiology helps us understanding them
better.
ii) It is the branch of science that helps in understanding how plants live and function.
iii) It serves as the foundation for several advances in agriculture, Floriculture, Forestry,
Plant Pathology, Agronomy and Pharmacology.
The study of Plant Physiology seeks to understand different manifestations and aspects of
plant life.
Plant Physiology explains the importance of plants which include;
i) In ecosystems, plants are the primary sources of food.
ii) Plants possess the ability to convert solar energy into organic molecules.
iii) Plants provide us with several economical and important products like cotton, medicines,
wood, fibers, etc.
iv) They have aesthetic value and can be applied in Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry.
Plant physiology is divided in three categories:
i. The physiology of metabolism and nutrition that deals with transformation, uptake
and release of materials, along with their movement between cells and organs of
plants.
ii. Includes the physiology of growth, reproduction and development.
iii. Environmental physiology, including response of plants to the environment and
changes within the environment.
Research in plant physiology is carried out at different levels of organization.
- Between cells and organisms, all plants and animals have five levels of organization for
structure and function.
The level of organization becomes increasingly complex with each level:
Cells,
Tissues,
Organs,
Organ systems.
Whole organism.
Level One: Cells
Cells are the smallest functional units of all livings things.
- plants contain various kinds of cells.
- Cells help living things absorb nutrients.
- In the case of animals, these nutrients come from food. In the case of plants, they come
mostly from sunlight, which plant cells convert into usable nutrients via a process called
photosynthesis.
- Both plant and animal cells carry genetic material in the form of DNA.
- Without DNA, livings things would not be able to pass on their individual characteristics
or the characteristics of their species to the next generation.
- Different kinds of cells perform different functions. Eg guard cells regulate movement of
gases and water in plant leaves
Level Two: Tissues
- Tissues are the organic material from which organs and other bodily structures appear.
- Cells make up tissues, which share a similar structure and function.
- Plants have different tissues eg
i) Dermal tissue forms the outer coverings of plants.
ii) Vascular tissue moves water and nutrients through the plant.
iii) Ground tissue makes up most of plants' bodies and performs the majority of
bodily functions, such as photosynthesis.
Level Three: Organs
- Organs are structures, comprised of specific kinds of tissue, which perform specialized
tasks in the body.
- Plants have organs eg
i) Vegetative organs, such as roots and leaves, help to sustain the life of the
plant.
ii) Reproductive organs, such as cones, flowers and fruits are temporary
structures that help to facilitate either sexual or asexual reproduction.
Level Four: Organ Systems
- Organ systems are groups of two or more organs which work together to perform a
specific function.
- Plants contain just two organ systems.
i) The shoot system includes all of the parts above the ground, such as leaves and
stems,
ii) The root system includes all of the parts below the ground, such as roots and
tubers.
Level Five: Organisms
- Organisms are whole, complete living things.
- Organisms can differ dramatically from one another in size and shape.
- All living things have cells.
- They can reproduce and are capable of growth.
- They absorb nutrients, produce waste and are capable of responding to stimuli in their
environment.
- These characteristics are true for both complex and simple living things and for both
plants and animals.