Plant Cell Biology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• have knowledge of the properties, components and functions of the plasma membrane and endomembrane systems of plant cells
• be familiar with the main techniques used to isolate and purify cell components and to investigate the properties of certain plant cell organelles, plant cell membranes and their components
• be conversant with semi-autonomy of chloroplasts and understand chloroplast assembly, including coordination between chloroplast and cytoplasmic protein synthesis
• have a basic knowledge of how plants respond to salt stress
• understand the properties and function of the plant cell vacuole
• have a good knowledge of how plants respond to heavy metal stress, including mechanisms of heavy metal homeostasis
• be familiar with the properties, functions and location in cells of a range of membrane transport systems including, where appropriate, the mechanisms which generate the driving forces for solute transport
• understand the cellular processes that may be sensitive to changes in the gaseous environment, particularly ozone
• be able to find and critically assess published information on a given topic-
• be familiar with the mechanisms involved in signal perception, and in signal generation and transmission
• have had practice in verbal and written presentation of scientific information.
• understand the mechanisms involved in the targeting and transport of proteins across organelle membranes
• understand the basic principles of signal transduction processes in plants including the nature and roles of signal receptors

This module explores, in depth, selected topics in plant cell biology that are basic to our understanding of the way in which plant cells develop, function and interact with each other and with their surroundings. Areas covered include: vacuole and chloroplast function and assembly; membrane transport; signalling; stress responses covering salt stress, mechanisms of ozone damage and repair, heavy metal stress and homeostasis, and consequences of elevated ozone levels. The module will include discussion sessions and a poster presentation. Additionally you will be asked to give a 30 minute presentation based on an extensive review of the literature addressing the question: The importance of Plant Cell Biology research in the development of phytoremediation and/or biofortification technologies. The mark will be awarded based on the oral presentation and a fully annotated PowerPoint presentation (i.e. the notes section will provide the written information that is presented in the slides with appropriate references).

Lectures and independent study. The module will include discussion sessions for poster presentations. In addition you will produce and present a poster and give a 30 minute PowerPoint presentation and submit the fully-annotated presentation.

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.