I am available during these hours, but if it is possible please make
an appointment to insure that my time will be devoted to you. Appointments
can also be made for almost any other time.
The goal of this class is to provide all participants with an understanding of modern concepts in plant physiology, especially with regard to the pathways and regulation of primary metabolism. We will focus primarily on discussions of current research in this field. Reading assignments will be made before discussion of any topic and I will briefly summarize the materials during the lecture period. Coverage of current topics will come mainly from the Annual Reviews of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology. Students will provide presentations of the primary literature in using a Journal Club format. A text book, "Plant Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" is available on 'Reserve' at the library. I strongly recommended it you, to provide needed background materials that will allow you to better appreciate the primary literature presented. Members of the class will be responsible for being well prepared to discuss the assigned readings and to express their views and opinions of materials presented.
This class has the potential to help all of us increase our understanding
of plant physiology and primary plant metabolism. The quality and enjoyment
of the educational experience provided by this class depend upon each of
us contributing insights and opinions to a lively debate of the current
concepts and hypotheses in this field. Each of us has different training
and
experiences that can add new dimensions to class discussions.
The course will consist of four integrated components:
1. Lecture
2. Journal Club
3. Recitation
4. Colloquium
The Lecture portion of the class will involve assigned readings covering the topics listed below. Most of these materials will be on reserve and consist of recent review and primary research articles. I will present a brief overview of the material and lead the discussion.
The Journal Club portion of the class will allow each student to select recent papers under general topic headings and to present the findings of the authors. The student will then lead the class discussion of the work.
The Recitation will provide a period to discuss modern research techniques and current research of class participants.
The Colloquium is a unique aspect of the Plant Systems class
format, linking the Physiology, Molecular Stress and Environmental Stress
Modules. Selected papers dealing with topics that bridge all three modules
be discussed during the semester in an informal weekly meeting. All faculty
and student participants will be expected to contribute to the discussions,
with questions and insights unique to their fields of expertise.
I. The Plant Genome
A. Nuclear
B. Plastid
C. Mitochondrial
D. Exchange of genes and gene products
II. Plastid Structure
A. Non-green plastids
B. Chloroplasts
III. Photosynthesis
A. Formation of ATP and Reducing power
B. Rubisco
C. Reductive pentose phosphate pathway
D. C4 and CAM pathways
E. Photorespiration
IV. Chloroplast-Cytosol Carbon Flux
V. Cytosolic Carbon Metabolism
A. Carbohydrate synthesis
B. Glycolysis
C. Oxidative pentose pathway
VI. Mitochondrial Carbon Metabolism
A. Mitochondrial structure
B. Carbon oxidation
C. Oxidation of NADH and ATP synthesis
D. Alternate oxidative pathway
VII. Primary lipid metabolism
A. Mitochondrial Pathways
B. Chloroplast Pathways
C. Microbodies