Course Book
University of Salahaddin-Erbil
College of Science
Department of Biology
Plant Physiology, 4th Stage (Year) Biology
Theory
Dr. Abdul-ghany Omer Ismaeel Sarmamy (Ph.D.)
Academic Year: 2014/2015
Office hours: by appointment
The course will cover plant Physiology topics together with print
media or internet articles which deal with current plant life physiology
issues. Instructional strategies attempt to strike a balance between
developing the students' ability to cope with plant physiology, extending
their general academic reading skills, and increasing their basic knowledge
and understanding of plant physiology. The course will give students a better
understanding of plant physiology topics, the followings are examples but
not restricted to: water and plant –water relationship, photosynthesis, plant
respiration, plant hormones, secondary plant products, Plant Hormones
(Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, and Abscisic Acid), Stress
Physiology and many other plant physiology topics.
Forms of Teaching
Different forms of teaching will be used to reach the objectives
of the course: power point presentations for the head titles and definitions
and summary of conclusions, classification of plants and any other
illustrations, besides worksheet will be designed to let the chance for
practicing on several aspects of the course in the classroom, furthermore
students will be asked to prepare research papers on selective topics and
summaries articles contents published in English into either Kurdish or
Arabic language, those articles need to be from printed media or internet
articles. There will be classroom discussions and the lecture will give
enough background to translate, solve, analyze, and evaluate problems sets,
and different issues discussed throughout the course.
To get the best of the course, it is suggested that you attend classes as
much as possible, read the required lectures, teacher’s notes regularly as all
of them are foundations for the course. Lecture’s notes are for supporting
and not for submitting the reading material including the handouts.try as
much as possible to participate in classroom discussions, preparing the
assignments given in the course.
Grading
The students are required to do four closed book exams at different
periods of the semester besides there may be other assignments including
translations and one research paper. The exam has 20 marks, the attendance,
classroom activities; translations and research paper count 5 marks, a
practical examination out of 15 degrees, and there will be a final exam on 60
marks. So that the final grade will be based upon the following criteria:
Mean of four examinations: 25%
Practical Examination 15%
Final examination: 60%
Course material
Required book:
“Plant Physiology”, 2006, Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger, 4th Edition,
Sinauer Associates, Inc. Sunderland, MA (USA)
Reference:- Introduction to Plant physiology W.G. Hopkins and Norman P.
A. Huner,3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons. Inc., New York, 2004.
The core materials of the course consists of the above book, articles from
media and internet, and lecture’s notes, make sure you read all the materials
and prepare well before going for the examinations.
Students are encouraged to search for any other materials that may help
improve their English language ability in reading, writing, listening and
speaking.
Course Weekly Outline
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Topics Covered
Introduction, Plant & Cell structure
Water & Plant cells: Water importance & Water properties
Water potential & its components
Water transport & transpiration
Secondary metabolites and plant defence
Plant products and effects on surroundings
Photosynthesis : Historical Overview
Photosynthesis : Light, Energy flow in plant, Photosynthetic pigments
Light reactions-electron transport & Photophosphorylation
Carbon reduction ( C3 plants ) & Photorespiration
C4 & CAM Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis-Ecological consideration
Respiration : Overview, glycolysis, Krebs
Pentose-P-pathway, Lipid metabolism, Nutrient assimilation
Plant Growth & Development : Overview, growth kinetics
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Plant Growth Regulators : Overview, Discovery & biochemistry of Auxin
Auxin: Physiological effects, Mode of action….
Gibberellins: Physiological effects, Mode of action…
Cytokinins: Physiological effects, Mode of action…
Abscisic acid: Physiological effects, Mode of action…
Ethylene: Physiological effects, Mode of action, and other growth
regulators…
Photoperiodism & flowering, Vernalization
Plant Movements : Tropism & Nastic Movements
Stress Physiology…
Q1- Write (T) for correct sentences and (F) for wrong sentences in the boxes
in front of each one.
Q2- Fill the blanks with suitable words.
Q3- Explain why:Q4) Enumerate the following
University of Salahaddin-Erbil
Plant Physiology
College of Science
Time: one hour
Department of Biology
Date: 2/5/2013
FirstExamination
Second Semester, 2013
Q1) Fill in the blanks, with the words between brackets.
20 Marks
1- The region of the coleoptile that is responsible for the bending toward the
light, called -------------------. (Elongation zone, growth zone,the tip)
2- The loss of auxin from cells is termed --------. (Auxin uptake,Auxin influx,
Auxinefflux)
3- Removal of the shoot apex (decapitation) usually results in the growth of
one or more of the -------------------. (Lateral buds, apical buds, apical &
lateral buds).
4- Gibberellins are most often associated with -------------- of stem growth.
(promotion, inhibition).
5- The tallness of plants was induced by Gibberellins secreted by a ------------ that had infected the tall plants. (bacteria, virus, fungus).
6- Kinetin was discovered as a breakdown product of------------. (NAD,
DNA, RNA).
7- Dark-grown seedlings are said to be -------------. (Promoted,
etiolated,chloroplast).
8-The environment is seldom free of ethylene because of its production by ------------. (Bacteria &fungi, plants and aerobic bacteria, plants and
microorganisms).
9- Ethylene is --------------of inducing adventitious root formation in leaves
and stems.
(not capable, capable)
10- Under conditions of--------------, ABA in the leaves can increase 50-fold
within 4 to 8 hours. (Salinity stress, water stress, water abundant)
11- ABA is believed to be a -------------- that helps reduce the transpiration
rate by closing stomata in leaves. (Shoot signal, root signal, fruit signal).
12- Seed ---------------- is an important factor in the adaptation of plants to
unfavorable environments. (dormancy, quiescent)
Q2) In front of each of the following sentences, write (T) for correct and (F)
for wrong sentences, and correct the wrong sentences.
20 Marks
1- Plants produce signaling molecules, called hormones that have
profound effects on development at low concentrations.
2- The Principal Auxin in higher plants is Indole-3-butyric Acid.
3- About one-third of the IAA is found in the chloroplast, and the
remainder is located in the cytosol.
4- Auxin is synthesized in the shoot apex and transported basipetally to
the tissues below.
5- Gibberellins have commercial applications such as fruit production,
malting of barley, increasing sugarcane yields and uses in plant
breeding.
6- Exogenous GA3 causes such extreme stem elongation in dwarf plants
only.
7- Coconut milk was shown to contain the cytokininkinetin.
8- Root apical meristems are major sites of synthesis of the free
cytokinins in whole plants.
9- Leaf senescence is more rapid in the dark than in the light.
10-Ethylene can be produced by almost all parts of higher plants.
11-ABA is believed to be a root signal that helps increase the
transpiration rate by opening stomata in leaves.
12-Seeds that are released from the plant in a dormant state are said to
exhibit secondary dormancy.
12-ABA promotes leaf senescence independently of ethylene.
Q3) Define the following:
20 Marks
Phototropism, dormant seeds,primary dormancy.
Q4) Enumerate the following:
20 Marks
1- The five basic mechanisms of coat-imposed dormancy.
2- Plant hormone types.
3- The three steps of plant cells expanding.
Q5) Writeshort notes about the following figures:
20 Marks
Fig.1
Fig.2
Good Luck
Dr. A. O. I. Sarmamy
University of Salahaddin-Erbil
Date: 2/5/2013
Plant Physiology
College of Science
Time: one hour
Department of Biology
2013
First Examination
Second Semester,
Typical Answers
Q1) Fill in the blanks, with the words between brackets.
1- The region of the coleoptile that is responsible for the bending toward the
light, called growth zone.
2- The loss of auxin from cells is termed Auxin efflux.
3- Removal of the shoot apex (decapitation) usually results in the growth of
one or more of the lateral buds.
4- Gibberellins are most often associated with promotion.
5- The tallness of plants was induced by Gibberellins secreted by a fungus
that had infected the tall plants.
6- Kinetin was discovered as a breakdown product of DNA.
7- Dark-grown seedlings are said to be etiolated.
8- The environment is seldom free of ethylene because of its production
byplants and microorganisms.
9- Ethylene iscapable of inducing adventitious root formation in leaves and
stems.
10- Under conditions ofwater stress, ABA in the leaves can increase 50-fold
within 4 to 8 hours.
11- ABA is believed to be a root signal that helps reduce the transpiration
rate by closing stomata in leaves.
12- Seed dormancy is an important factor in the adaptation of plants to
unfavorable environments.
Q2) In front of each of the following sentences, write (T) for correct and (F)
for wrong sentences, and correct the wrong words.
10Plants produce signaling molecules, called hormones that have
profound effects on development at low concentrations. T
11The Principal Auxin in higher plants is Indole-3-Acetic Acid. F
12About one-third of the IAA is found in the chloroplast, and the
remainder is located in the cytosol. T
13Auxin is synthesized in the shoot apex and transported
basipetally to the tissues below. T
14Gibberellins have commercial applications such as fruit
production, malting of barley, increasing sugarcane yields and uses in
plant breeding. T
15Exogenous GA3 causes such extreme stem elongation in dwarf
plants. F
16Coconut milk was shown to contain the cytokininZeatin. F
17Root apical meristems are major sites of synthesis of the free
cytokinins in whole plants. T
18Leaf senescence is more rapid in the dark than in the light. T
10-Ethylene can be produced by almost all parts of higher plants. T
11-ABA is believed to be a root signal that helps reduce the transpiration
rate by closing stomata in leaves. F
12-Seeds that are released from the plant in a dormant state are said to
exhibit primary dormancy. F
12-ABA promotes leaf senescence independently of ethylene. T
Q3) Define the following:
1-Phototropism, 2-dormant seeds,3-primary dormancy.
1- Growth with respect to light and bending of plants toward the light.
2- Dormant seed: viable (living) seed that will not germinate even if all
the necessary environmental conditions for growth are satisfied.
3- Primary dormancy: Seeds that are released from the plant in a
dormant state.
Q4) Enumerate the following:
A) The five basic mechanisms of coat-imposed dormancy. (1. Prevention of
water uptake,
2. Mechanical constraint, 3. Interference with gas exchange, 4.Retention of
inhibitors&
5. Inhibitor production.
B) Plant hormone types.(Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene &
ABA)
C) The three steps of plant cells expanding. (1. Osmotic uptake of water,
2. Turgor pressure,& 3. Biochemical wall loosening occurs, allowing
the cell to expand in response to turgor pressure.)
Q5) Write short notes about the following figures:
Fig.1: Natural active ABA, a plant hormone associated with Seed
Maturation and Antistress Signal.
Fig.2: plant elongation due to Gibberellin application, a plant hormone
associated with regulation of plant height.
University of Salahaddin-Erbil
Physiology
College of Science
Examination
Department of Biology
2013
Plant
Date: 2/5/2013
Second
Time: one hour
Second Semester,
Q1) Fill in the following blanks, with the words between brackets.
20 Marks
1- ----------------deserves pride of place in any discussion of plant
hormonesbecause it was the first growth hormone to be discoveredin
plants. (Gibberellin, Auxin, ABA).
2- Plants produce signaling molecules, called -----------------------that
have profound effects on development at low concentrations.
(Enzymes, hormones, secondary products).
3- The tallness of plants was induced by ----------------------secreted by a
fungus that had infected the tall plants. (Auxin, Zeatin, Gibberellins)
4- No kinetin-induced cell division occurs without ----------------- in the
culture medium. (Gibberellin, Auxin, Cytokines).
5- Leaf senescence is more ------------- in the dark than in the light.
(Slow, rapid).
6- The environment is seldom free of ------------- because of its
production by plants and microorganisms. (Auxin, ethylene, kinetin).
7- -------------- is believed to be a root signal that helps reduce the
transpiration rate. (Ethylene, ABA, Auxin).
8- ABA is transported by----------------------. (Both the xylem and the
phloem, xylem, phloem).
9- ------------plays primary regulatory roles in the initiation and
maintenance of seed and bud dormancy and in the plant’s response to
stress, particularly water stress. (Abscisic acid, ethylene, Giberellin).
10Seed -------------is an important factor in the adaptation of
plants to unfavorable environments. (Dormancy, Quiescent,
germination).
Q2) In front of each of the following sentences, write (T) for correct and (F)
for wrong sentences, and correct the wrong sentences.
20 Marks
1-Plants produce signaling molecules, called hormones that have
profound effects on development at high concentrations.
2-The Principal Auxin in higher plants is Gibberellin.
3-About one-third of the IAA is found in the cytosol, and the remainder
is located in the chloroplast.
4-Auxin is synthesized in the root apex and transported basipetally to the
tissues above.
5-Coconut milk was shown to contain the cytokine kinetin.
Q3) Define the following:
20 Marks
Secondary dormancy, Stress, Thigmotropism.
Q4) Explain why?
20 Marks
1- When some plants exposed to sunlight, it bends towards the sunlight,
why?
2- Although all seed germinating factors (water, temperature, oxygen,
and proper seed bed) some plant seeds do not germinate, why?
Q5) Write short notes about the following figures:
20 Marks
Fig.1
Fig.2
Good Luck
Dr. A. O. I. Sarmamy
University of Salahaddin-Erbil
Date: 2/5/2013
College of Science
Time: one hour
Department of Biology
Plant Physiology
Second Examination
Second Semester, 2013
Typical Answers:
Q1)
1- Auxindeserves pride of place in any discussion of plant
hormonesbecause it was the first growth hormone to be discoveredin
plants.
2- Plants produce signaling molecules, called hormones that have
profound effects on development at low concentrations.
3- The tallness of plants was induced by Gibberellins secreted by a
fungus that had infected the tall plants.
4- No kinetin-induced cell division occurs without Auxin in the culture
medium.
5- Leaf senescence is more rapid in the dark than in the light.
6- The environment is seldom free of ethylene because of its production
by plants and microorganisms.
7- ABA is believed to be a root signal that helps reduce the transpiration
rate.
8- ABA is transported by both the xylem and the phloem.
9- Abscisic acid plays primary regulatory roles in the initiation and
maintenance of seed and bud dormancy and in the plant’s response to
stress, particularly water stress.
10Seed dormancy is an important factor in the adaptation of plants
to unfavorable environments.
Q2)
1- Plants produce signaling molecules, called hormones that have
profound effects on development at low concentrations.
2- The Principal Auxin in higher plants is Indole-3-acetic Acid.
3- About one-third of the IAA is found in the chloroplast, and the
remainder is located in the cytosol.
4- Auxin is synthesized in the shoot apex and transported basipetally
to the tissues below.
5- Coconut milk was shown to contain the cytokine Zeatin.
Q3)
Stress is usually defined as an external factor that exerts a disadvantageous
influence on the plant.
Thigmotropism, or growth with respect to touch, enables roots to grow
around rocks and is responsible for the ability of the shoots of climbing
plants to wrap around other structures for support.
Q4)
1- Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) plant growth hormone, the first type of
hormones which discovered in the plant tissues in the mid1930,
responsible for tropism.
Adventitious root formation in leaves, stems, flower stems, and even other
roots induced by ethylene plant hormone.
University of Salahaddin-Erbil
Date: / /2013
Plant Physiology
College of Science
Time: three hours
Examination
Department of Biology
2012- 2013
Q1) Fill in the blanks, with the words between brackets.
10 Marks
1-A variety of signaling molecules that play roles in resistance to pathogens
and defense against herbivores are -------------, ---------------- and------------------.(Jasmonic acid,ABA,ethylene, salicylic acid, systemin).
2- Under conditions of--------------, ABA in the leaves can increase 50-fold
within 4 to 8 hours. (Salinity stress, water stress, water abundant)
3-----------------deserves pride of place in any discussion of plant
hormonesbecause it was the first growth hormone to be discoveredin plants.
(Gibberellin, Auxin, ABA).
4--------------- is believed to be a root signal that helps reduce the
transpiration rate. (Ethylene, ABA, Auxin).
5- In general, meristematic regions and nodal regions are the most active in --------------------------.(Ethylene biodegradation, ethylene biosynthesis).
6-Halophytes are native to ------------------ soils and complete their life
cycles in that environment. (Nonsaline, saline)
7- The critical oxygen pressure (COP) is the oxygen pressure at which the ------------rate is first slowed by O2 deficiency.(Respiration, transpiration,
photosynthesis).
8- Roots usually obtain sufficient oxygen (O2) for aerobic respiration
directly from the ----------------space in the soil.(Gaseous, liquid (the soil
water), solid).
Q2) In front of each of the following sentences, write (T) for correct and (F)
for wrong sentences, and correct the wrong sentences.
10
Marks
1-Plants produce signaling molecules, called hormones that have
profound effects on development at high concentrations.
2-The Principal Auxin in higher plants is Gibberellin.
3-About one-third of the IAA is found in the chloroplast, and the
remainder is located in the cytosol.
4-Auxin is synthesized in the shoot apex and transported basipetally to
the tissues below.
5-Coconut milk was shown to contain the cytokine Zeatin.
6-The presence of high concentrations of Na+ in the soil, referred to as
salinity.
7-Dissolved solutes in the rooting zone generate a low osmotic potential
that lowers the soil water potential.
Q3) Define the following:10 Marks
Sodicity, salinity,phototropism,Zeatin
Q4) Enumerate the following:
10 Marks
1-The five basic mechanisms of coat-imposed dormancy.
2-The three steps of plant cells expanding.
Good Luck
Dr. A. O. I. Sarmamy
Typical Answers
1-A variety of signaling molecules that play roles in resistance to pathogens
and defense against herbivores are jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and
systemin.
2-Under conditions of water stress, ABA in the leaves can increase 50-fold
within 4 to 8 hours.
3-Auxin deserves pride of place in any discussion of plant hormones because
it was the first growth hormone to be discovered in plants.
4- ABA is believed to be a root signal that helps reduce the transpiration
rate.
5-In general, meristematic regions and nodal regions are the most active in
ethylene biosynthesis.
6-Halophytes are native to saline soils and complete their life cycles in that
environment.
7-The critical oxygen pressure (COP) is the oxygen pressure at which the
respiration rate is first slowed by O2 deficiency.
8-Roots usually obtain sufficient oxygen (O2) for aerobic respiration directly
from the gaseous space in the soil.
Q2)
1- Plants produce signaling molecules, called hormones that have
profound effects on development at low concentrations.
2- The Principal Auxin in higher plants is Indole-3-acetic Acid.
3- About one-third of the IAA is found in the chloroplast, and the
remainder is located in the cytosol.
4- Auxin is synthesized in the shoot apex and transported basipetally to
the tissues below.
5- Coconut milk was shown to contain the cytokine Zeatin.
6- The presence of high concentrations of Na+ in the soil, referred to as
sodicity.
7- Dissolved solutes in the rooting zone generate a low osmotic potential
that lowers the soil water potential.
Q3)
Sodicity: high concentrations of Na+ in the soil, referred to as sodicity.
Salinity: high concentrations of total salts in the soil, referred to as salinity.
Phototropism: Growth with respect to light and bending of plants towards
the lightdue tothe activity of plant hormone auxin.
Zeatin: Zeatin is the most abundant natural cytokine, found in the extracts of
immature endosperm of corn, has the same biological effect as kinetin.
Q4)
The five basic mechanisms of coat-imposed dormancy are:
1. Prevention of water uptake,
2. Mechanical constraint.
3. Interference with gas exchange.
4. Retention of inhibitors and
5. Inhibitor production.
The three steps of plant cells expanding are:
1. Osmotic uptake of water.
2. Turgor pressure and
3. Biochemical wall loosening occurs, allowing the cell to expand in
response to turgor pressure.