Biol 465
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
COURSE OUTLINE and SYLLABUS
Spring 2009
Plant physiology is the study of plant function. Plant physiologists are people interested in
learning about what plants do, and what chemical and physical factors cause plants to respond as they do
in their environment. We will explore several important processes which allow plants to survive in their
environment. Structure-function relationships will be emphasized, as will ecological implications of the
physiological process under investigation. Plants are stationary and unlike animals, they have no
mechanism like movement to escape environmental extremes. This simple fact makes their physiology,
particularly from an environmental perspective, quite remarkable. How can plants survive in a constantly
changing environment, and what special physiological attributes allow them to compete with other plants
in a particular habitat?
Plants are complex and fascinating living organisms. I hope that you will find this introduction to
the physiology of plants a challenging and rewarding endeavor.
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Stanley Wiatr
Phone: 657-2018
Office: Sci 139
Office Hours: MWF 11:30 – 12:00 or by appt.
Lecture: Room 143 Science Bldg.
Email: swiatr@msubillings.edu
Email Subject Heading should include  Biol 465 and your name.
TEXT: Taiz, L and E. Zeiger. 2006. Plant Physiology, 4th edition. Sinauer Assoc. Sunderland, MA.
ISBN 0-87893-856-7.
Expected Outcomes: Upon completing this course, you should be familiar with contemporary concepts in
plant physiology and the physiological mechanisms controlling plant growth and development. Students
will have an understanding of transport in plants as it relates to the movement of solutes and water,
photosynthesis as related to harvesting solar energy and carbon fixation, and hormonal signaling as it
impacts plant growth and development.
Assessment: Assessment of your grasp of concepts and their applications, critical thinking skills,
problem solving skills, and factual recall will be done through four examinations (details given below), a
review paper and an oral in-class presentation. The examinations will include multiple choice questions
that will allow you to think critically and hone your analytical abilities; essay, short answer and other
questions that will allow factual recall, application of concepts and problem solving. Your communication
skills will be assessed through clarity in writing, accuracy in grammar, and spelling and organization in
presentation of facts. Written and oral reports will also be used to develop and assess communication
skills in a specific area of plant physiology.
1. LECTURE EXAMS = 75% of grade: Five lecture exams will be given (15% each), and each will be
based on material covered in class before it.
2. REVIEW PAPER = 15% of final grade. You will write a concise review paper on any topic in plant
physiology. Your primary reference for this paper will be the journal, Plant Physiology or other botanical
journals with papers in plant physiology. Emphasis must be on the physiology of plants, although the
report could have a secondary emphasis in some other area such as molecular plant physiology, plant
ecology, plant anatomy. Due date: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at the beginning of class.
3. ORAL REPORT/CLASS PRESENTATION = 10% of final grade: Each student will give a short (15-20
minute) oral presentation on one research paper in plant physiology published in the last two years. Any
journal dealing with research in plant physiology should be used.
You will use Powerpoint for your presentation and present:
1) objectives, 2) methodology and 3) most significant results of one research paper in plant physiology.
SUMMARY OF GRADING
ITEM
VALUE (% of final grade)
Five exams
75%
Review paper
15%
Oral report
10%
Grading Scale
A  >=90%
B  80-89% C  70-79%
D  60-69%
F  <= 59%
I will reserve the right to assign + or – as a part of your final grade (e.g. B+)
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Plant Physiology Syllabus Topic
Chapter:page
in text
Exam 1 Topics
Introduction
Plant Cells, Tissues and Organs
Water and Plant Cells
Water Balance of Plants
Review
Exam 1: On or about Friday, February 6, 2009
1:1
3:37
4:53
Exam 2 Topics
Mineral Nutrition
Solute Transport
Translocation in the phloem
Exam 2: On or about Friday, February 27, 2009
5:73
6:95
10:221
Exam 3 Topics
Photosynthesis: the light reactions
Photosynthesis: Carbon reactions
Photosynthesis: Physiological and Ecological considerations
Exam 3: On or about Friday, March 27, 2009
7:125
8:159
9:197
Exam 4 Topics
Respiration and Lipid Metabolism
Assimilation of Mineral Nutrients
Secondary Metabolites and Plant Defense
Exam 4: On or about Monday, April 8, 2009
11:253
12:289
13:315
Exam 5 Topics
Auxin: The Growth Hormone
Gibberellins: Regulators of Plant Height and Seed Germination
Cytokinins: Regulators of Cell Division
Ethylene: The Gaseous Hormone
Abscisic Acid: Seed Maturation & Anti-stress signal
Exam 5: Definitely on Monday, April 27, 2009 2:00-3:50pm (Finals week)
19:467
20:509
21:543
22:571
23:593
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