Secondary metabolites in plants
Biotechnology 2 degree - 2015/2016
Optional subject - semester 3 - Secondary metabolites in plants
Course code: 13.1-WB-BT2-PW6A
Type of course: optional
Language of instruction: Polish/English
Director of course
dr Krystyna Walińska
Name of lecturer
dr Krystyna Walińska
Number of
hours per
semester
Semester
Course grade
Lecture
15 hours
3
credit assessment
Exercises
15 hours
3
credit assessment
Type of course
Course characteristic
Aim of the course
The aim of the course is to acquire the practical knowledge by the student. It is expected that
the student should define the plant secondary metabolites, describe the chemical structure of
these compounds, present their appearance, explain the metabolism of this class of
compounds. Student after completing courses in the subject should describe and explain the
biological activity of plant secondary metabolites and present their application.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of general and systematic botany and biochemistry.
Scope
Plant secondary metabolites - the general characteristics and division. Metabolism and
biological activity of secondary metabolites major groups: - phenolic compounds (phenolic
acids, flavonoids), - terpenoids (monoterpenes, saponin, etc.), - nitrogen compounds
(alkaloids, amines, non-protein amino acids, glycosides and glucosinolates). Overview of
selected crop plants including producing secondary metabolites (medicinal plants, poisonous
plants, edible plants, oil plants, fiber plants, narcotic plants, spices, stimulants, plants
produced: the wood, the cork, the rubber, balsams, glues, dyes, tannins, essential oils, the
honey, the resin and plants as a source of insecticides). The role of secondary metabolites in
the formation of ecological relationships of plants. Practical use of compounds belonging to
plant secondary metabolites.
Methods of education
- oral presentation (lecture in the form of the ppt presentation), - project (preparing the
presentation by oneself), - practical methods (lab classes with the use of collected biological
material - herbaria and material isolated from plants).
ECTS
points
3
Learning outcomes
Knowledge, skills, competencies
Student knows topics of the plant biochemistry,
understands and explains the metabolic processes
in plants and explains the concept of secondary
metabolites.
Directional
effects of the
course
K2A_W01
K2A_W10
Methods of verification
of learning outcomes
The form of
course
The end-term test
examination
Partial tests
Lecture
Exercises
Uses literature and electronic sources, can
interpret and combine into a coherent whole the
information.
K2A_U02
K2A_U07
Preparing the
presentation by oneself
Exercises
Applies the method of self-education and
recognizes the need to learn and improve their
skills.
K2A_K01
The end-term test
Preparing the
presentation by oneself
Lecture
Exercises
Works in a group and organizes the work within
the specified range, listens to the comments of
teachers and applies their recommendations.
K2A_K02
Current control
Exercises
Verification of learning outcomes and credit conditions
The lecture – the end-term test conducted in the written form, it lasts 45 minutes and contains
50 closed questions. 60% of the points out of 50 are required to get the pass mark credit. - the
self-prepared multimedia presentation. The final mark consists of the average sum of all of the
pass partial marks. Exercises - pass mark credit of all exercises (open and closed tests - 60%
of points scored are required to get the pass mark credit, the herbarium made by one-self, lab
book and practical skills test, and self-prepared multimedia presentation). The final mark
consists of the average sum of all of the pass partial marks
Student workload
The contact hours:- the lectures (15 hours), the exercises (15 hours), the consultations (5
hours). The unassisted student work: - the preparations for the exercises (20 hours) and the
preparation the herbarium and presentation by one-self (30 hours). The total amount of 85
hours refer to 3 ECTS point.
Literature
Recommended reading
•
•
Makkar, H., Sidhuraju, P., Becker, K. Plant Secondary Metabolites, Springer, 2007.
H. W. Heldt H. W. and Piechulla B. Plant Biochemistry, Fourth Edition, London
Academic, 2010.
Optional reading
•
Plant Secondary Metabolism Engineering, Fett-Neto, Arthur Germano (Ed.), Springer
2010.