BOT 430(G)
Plant Physiology Syllabus
SPRING 2012
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Dr. Meshack Afitlhile
Phone: 298-2534
Office: WG 311
E-mail: M-afitlhile@wiu.edu
Office hours: Tues 2-4 pm; Fri 10-noon. 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.
Laboratories, Waggoner 221: Mon 3-4:50 p.m.
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, respiration,
carbohydrates metabolism 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, respiration,
carbohydrate metabolism and the role of plant hormones in a 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: It is the responsibility of the student(s) who have
professionally diagnosed disabilities to contact Disability Support Services at 298-2512.
The student(s) would then present an official notification to the course instructor so that
necessary and appropriate modifications can be made to meet any special learning needs.
Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (fire, tornado,
etc.) should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such
an emergency.
Exams: There will be 3 class exams during the course of the semester, and a noncomprehensive final examination at the end of the semester. Students must take all the 3
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 make-up for the missed final
examination.
Tests or Exam format: Examinations will include short and long 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. Three class exams: each exam will total 100 points and all 3 class exams
combined will count for 50% of the final grade, i.e. 300 x 0.50 or 16.7% per
exam, i.e. 100 x 0.167.
2. Lab discussion will count for 5% of the final grade
3. Lab notebook will count for 5% of the final grade
4. Lab report: 100 points and will count for 25% of the final grade, i.e. 100 x 0.25
5. Final exam: 100 points and will count for 15% of the final grade, 100 x 0.15
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. Feb 29 (Wed): Exam 1- Plant Cell and Photosynthesis (light reactions)
2. Mar 28 (Wed): Exam 2- Phytochrome and photosynthesis (dark reactions)
3. Apr 18 (Wed): Exam 3 - Types of photosynthesis, Hormones (GAs, ABA, Auxin,
cytokinins and ethylene)
4. Non-comprehensive Final Examination: May 7 (Mon), from 10:00 – 11:50 a.m.

Carbohydrate metabolism and Respiration (Glycolysis, TCA cycle and
electron transport), and secondary metabolites (if covered in class)
DATE
LECTURE TOPIC
Jan 18
Introduction of the course syllabus
Jan 23, 25, 30
Feb 1, 6
CHAPTER(S)
Plant Cell (organelles and membrane architecture)
1, 15
Plant Cell (protein synthesis and transport; endocytosis)
1, 15
Feb 8
Photosynthesis (light reactions)
Feb 13
Lincoln’s birthday (University closed)
Feb 15, 20, 22, 27
Photosynthesis (light reactions)
Feb 29 (Wed)
March 5
7, 9
7, 9
EXAM 1 - Plant cell and Photosynthesis (light reactions)
Phytochrome and light control of plant development
Mar 7
17
Photosynthesis (Dark reactions)
Mar 12- 16
8
Spring Break
Mar 19, 21, 26
Mar 28 (Wed)
Photosynthesis (Dark reactions)
8
EXAM 2 – Phytochrome and Photosynthesis (dark reactions)
April 2
Types of photosynthesis
April 4, 9
Plant hormones (Gibberellins, Abscisic acid or ABA)
April 11, 16
Plant hormones (Auxin, cytokinins and ethylene)
8
20, 23
19, 21, 22
April 18 (Wed)
Exam 3 – Types of photosynthesis and Plant hormones
April 23
Carbohydrate Metabolism (and in lab time)
8
April 25
Respiration
11
April 30
Respiration (and in lab time)
11
May 2
Secondary Metabolites and Plant Defenses (if time permits)
13
May 7 (Mon): Final Examination from 10:00 – 11:50 a.m. Carbohydrate metabolism,
Respiration (Glycolysis, TCA cycle and electron transport) and secondary metabolites (if
covered)
Schedule for Plant Physiology laboratories
Date
Lab
Topic
Jan 23
1
Boot camp lab (bring the calculator)
Jan 30
2
Extraction and quantitation of plant pigments (spinach)
Feb 6
3
Bradford Protein Assay (Review line equation, y= mx+c)
Lincoln’s birthday (University closed)
Feb 13
Feb 20
4
Effect of ABA, GA3 and kinetin in wheat leaf senescence

Discussion of labs 2 and 3
Feb 27
5
Extract total chlorophylls and proteins in hormone treated leaves (lab 4)
Mar 5
6
Discussion of labs 4 and 5 (bring your lap tops)
Mar 12 - 16
Mar 19
7
Spring Break
Effect of plant hormones (ABA, GA3, CK) on lettuce seed germination
 Discussion on how to write a lab report (bring your lap-top)
Mar 26
8
Enzyme assay: α- and β-amylase activities in germinating wheat seeds
 Determine the rate of seed germination from lab 7
April 2
9
TCA precipitation of proteins from labs 5
Apr 9
10
Apr 16
11
Apr 23
12
Lectures on Carbohydrate Metabolism
Class notes (WebCT)
Apr 30
13
Lectures on Cellular Respiration
Class notes (WebCT)
Apr 27 (Friday)
SDS-PAGE of proteins from labs 5 and 8
Discussion of labs 7, 8, 9 and 10
Submit the Lab Report and notebook before 5 p.m.
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 8-10 pages
of typed double spaced work is required. Students will be required to fully integrate the
information from 3-5 labs using the following format:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Introduction (1-2 pages, cite literature and state the objective or hypothesis)
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
References
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.