BOT 430(G)
Plant Physiology Syllabus
Tutored Studies
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Dr. Meshack Afitlhile
Phone: 298-2534
SPRING 2014
Office: WG 311
E-mail: m-afitlhile@wiu.edu
Office hours: Wed 2-4 pm; Fri 2–4 p.m. Drop-ins and appointments are welcome. If
I am not available, you may have to reschedule the appointment.
Class Lectures, Waggoner 202: Mon & Wed from 10-10:50 a.m. (Normal student
enrollment)
Lectures for tutored studies: Class meets only on Wednesday (10-10:50 a.m.)
Laboratories, Waggoner 221: Mon 3-4:50 p.m. (some lectures during lab)
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE: Plant Physiology is now referred to as Plant Biology.
Plant Biology is an integration of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology,
Physics, Genetics and Ecology. This integration gives a more realistic and better
understanding of the biological processes that take place in a living plant cell. The
information in this field has applications to all fields of biology including Medicine,
Pharmacy, and Biotechnology. No matter what aspect of life one study, the chemical
interactions among biological molecule within cells are at least partly responsible for the
phenomena that are being observed. Plant Biology is a huge field and we can’t cover all
topics in one semester, but we will study several representative metabolic pathways,
which are generally applicable to many systems, including mammals.
PREREQUISITES: BOT 200; ZOOL 200; one year of Chemistry; ENG 280.
General Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology are useful courses
but are not yet the requirement.
Students must be able to work out basic algebra problems, graph and interpret the data,
and write clearly without plagiarizing. This is a 400-level course and it is expected that
all students can synthesize the information and teach themselves background
information they may be lacking (using relevant textbooks, journal articles and the
internet), and can keep up with the fast pace of teaching.
Recommended Textbook: Plant Physiology (5th Edition) by L. Taiz and E. Zeiger
(2011). Publisher: Sinauer Associates, INC.
There is no lab manual for this course. The instructor will hand out protocols in class
or post them on western online at least a week before the scheduled lab, and students
must read the lab protocol in advance. Lab notebook is required and may be available at
the University bookstore.
WHY THIS TEXTBOOK: This textbook is less complicated yet detailed and provides
excellent and recent updated topics in Plant Physiology. Students will be able to use this
text as a general reference for both this course and for future references beyond this
course.
Course Description: An introductory course in Plant Biology designed to increase student
awareness and understanding of the biochemical processes in living plants. The course
consists of units in cell structure and organelles, photosynthesis, and plant hormones.
Emphasis will be placed on the representative metabolic pathways and their role in plant
growth and development.
Lecture Course Objectives
1. Students will study the major function of cell organelles, photosynthesis and the role of
plant hormones in whole plant development.
2. Students will learn how to collect, analyze and interpret the experimental data
3. Students will synthesize the information from several experiments, read scientific
journals to help interpret the data and communicate the experimental results in oral and
written form.
Attendance and lab Policy: Attendance is mandatory, if a student misses a lecture, the
student must obtain additional lecture notes from other students. A student cannot miss
more than three labs. If a student misses more than three labs, the student will receive an
automatic F in the course. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with his/her
progress in this course.
Course Requirements: Students must read lecture notes and the textbook. Notes will be
made available at http://westernonline.wiu.edu through your WesternOnline account
(ECOM) userID & password. You should take additional notes during lectures, which
may not be on the slides. Contact University Computer Support Services
(http://www.wiu.edu/UCSS or 309 298-2704) for computing issues. Go to
http://www.wiu.edu/guava to activate your account if you are using it for the first time.
LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DEPARTURE POLICY: Students are expected to be on time
for class, and can only leave the class at the end of the lecture period. Consistent late
arrival or early departure from class may result in exclusion from this class.
Class conduct: Students will conduct themselves with integrity, and will not be
disrespectful of others or the Professor. Students are encouraged to actively participate in
class and lab discussions. The time to be concerned with your grade is the first 4 weeks of
class and not the last 2 weeks of the semester.
CELLULAR PHONES: Please turn off your cellular phones during lectures and labs. If
you do answer a phone that is on vibrates or silent, you must answer it outside the class
or lab. If this happens repeatedly, you will not be allowed back in class after answering
the phone.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Students enrolled at WIU agree to abide by the university
Honor Code to uphold the highest standards of honesty in all phases of the University life
and therefore, agree to refrain from any dishonest behavior in academics. Please read
WIU policies at http://www.wiu.edu/provost/policies
CHEATING: This includes, but is not limited to looking at notes or at a friend's
answers during a test, copying someone else's work for an assignment, doing an
assignment for an absent friend, obtaining or giving specific information that will appear
on a test before it is administered. In this course students may work together to gather
information, but it is considered cheating for two students to have identical answers or
identical print-outs regardless of whether they have worked together or not. Students
must answer questions in their own words. For the lab report, each student must type and
print out his/her own work. Cheating will result in 0 points for the lab report or exam.
PLAGIARISM: Representing someone else's work as your own constitutes
plagiarism. If you include someone else's exact words, use quotation marks and
cite the source. However, in scientific writing you should avoid direct quotes
almost entirely. Paraphrase someone else’s writing instead of quoting it. If you
paraphrase someone else's ideas, cite the source.
Keep in mind, simply altering a single word or two of someone else’s writing
and keeping the rest of the sentence essentially the same is still plagiarism, even if
you cite the source!
A lab report that contains plagiarized portions will receive an automatic failing
grade and will be referred to the University’s Council on Admission, Graduation
and Academic Standards. Please read student rights and responsibilities at
www.wiu.edu/provost/students
Academic Accommodations: In accordance with University policy and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student
who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. For the instructor to
provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain documentation of the need for an
accommodation through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and give a copy to the course
instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the
instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to enquire about such particular
needs of students. Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations
(i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures
to follow in such an emergency. Contact Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 298-2512
for additional services.
Exams: There will be 2 class exams during the course of the semester, and a noncomprehensive final examination at the end of the semester. Students must take all the 2
exams and the final examination.
Missed exams: Only under extreme situations, if a student misses a lecture exam, with
presentation of a valid and documented reason, approved by the Instructor, the student
may be able to arrange for a makeup exam, which will be given within two weeks from
the date the exam was administered. There will be no final examination for tutored
studies.
Tests or Exam format: Examinations will include short questions, which will be a
reflection of the material covered in lectures. Students are expected to know the
metabolic pathways that will be covered in lectures (you do not have to memorize
biochemical structures, unless I instruct you to do so). Some questions will require
synthesis of the information rather than splitting back memorized facts.
GRADING DISPUTES: If I ever add up your points incorrectly, I will immediately make
any corrections in your favor. It will be helpful to check for possible errors after exams
are handed back. As soon as you notice an error either with addition or grading, please
do bring it to my attention immediately. If you think you deserve more credit for an
answer than I gave you, come and see me and we’ll discuss it.
Participation: Students are encouraged to participate in class and lab discussions.
Method of Evaluation: Total points accumulated from lectures and labs will make-up
the overall course grade.
1. Two class exams: each exam will count for 100 points and all 2 class exams
combined will count for 50% of the final grade, i.e. 25% per exam, i.e. 100 x
0.25.
2. Lab notebook will count for 5% of the final grade
3. Lab report: 100 points and will count for 45% of the final grade, i.e. 100 x 0.45
Final Grade Distribution (plus and minus system):
A = 90-100%
A+ = does not exist
A- = 89%
B = 80-87%
B+ = 88
B- = 79%
+
C = 70-77%
C = 78
C- = 69%
D = 60-67%
D+ = 68%
D- = 59%
F = 0-58%
TEST DATES AND TOPICS
1. Mar 3 (Mon): Exam 1- Plant Cell, Photosynthesis and Phytochrome
2. Apr 28 (Mon): Exam 2 - Types of photosynthesis, Hormones (GAs, ABA, Auxin,
cytokinins and ethylene)
DATE
LECTURE TOPIC
Jan 13
Introduction of the course syllabus
Jan 15, 22, 29
Feb 5
CHAPTER(S)
Plant Cell (organelles and membrane architecture)
1, 15
Plant Cell (protein synthesis and transport; endocytosis)
1, 15
Feb 10 (in lab)
Photosynthesis (light reactions)
7, 9
Lincoln’s birthday (University closed)
Feb 12
Feb 19
Photosynthesis (light reactions)
7, 9
Feb 24 (in lab), 26
Phytochrome and light control of plant development
Mar 3 (Mon)
EXAM 1 - Plant cell, Photosynthesis and Phytochrome
Mar 5
Photosynthesis (Dark reactions)
Mar 10- 14
8
Spring Break
Mar 17 (lectures in lab), 19
Mar 24 (lectures in lab), 26
April 2
April 9
17
Photosynthesis (Dark reactions)
8
Photosynthesis (Dark reactions)
8
Types of photosynthesis
8
Introduction to Plant hormones
April 14 (in lab), 16
Gibberellins, Abscisic acid
April 21 (in lab), 23 Auxins, Cytokinins and ethylene
20, 23
19, 21, 22
April 28 (Mon)
Exam 2 – Types of photosynthesis and Plant hormones
April 30
Final course meeting
Note: There will be no final exam in this tutored course
Schedule for Plant Physiology laboratories
Date
Lab
Jan 27
1
Pipetting lab (bring a calculator)
Feb 3
2
Bradford Protein Assay (Review line equation, y= mx+c)
Feb 10
3
Effect of ABA, GA3 and kinetin in wheat leaf senescence
Feb 17
4
Extract plant pigments and proteins in hormone treated leaves
Feb 24
5
Use Bradford procedure to measure total soluble proteins
Mar 3
Topic
EXAM 1 - Plant cell, Photosynthesis and Phytochrome
Mar 10-14
Spring Break
Mar 17
6
Effect of plant hormones (ABA, GA3, CK) on lettuce seed germination
Mar 24
7
Determine the rate of seed germination
Mar 31
8
Graphing and discussion on how to write a lab report (WG 272)
Apr 7
Students shall work on the lab report at the library
Apr 14
9
Apr 21
10
Apr 28
Submit a draft of the lab report to the Professor
Submit a final lab Report at 3 p.m.
Exam 2 – Types of photosynthesis and Plant hormones
Students are encouraged to actively participate in the discussions and ask questions.
Experiments may be added or omitted during the course of the semester, and students
will be notified of any changes to the schedule.
Laboratory Report: Students will write a full lab report using the writing format from
Plant Cell or Plant Physiology (these are scientific journals). A maximum of 10 pages of
typed work is required (font size must be 12 or 14). Students will be required to fully
integrate the information from labs 3 to 8 using the following format:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction (1-2 pages, cite literature and state the objectives)
Materials and methods (1-2 pages, cite source of protocols)
Results (present data in tables and graphs including STDV or SEM)
Discussion and conclusion (interpret data). Not more than 2 pages long
5. References (3-5 articles or papers)
Undergraduate students: Students in the undergraduate program are expected to score
at least 60% in the lab report in order to pass the course. Students should be able to read
the selected journal articles and be effective in interpreting the experimental data and
synthesizing the information.
Graduate students: Students in the graduate program are expected to score at least 70%
in the lab report in order to pass the course. Graduate students should be able to read the
selected journal articles and be effective in interpreting the experimental data and
synthesizing the information.