Plant Photosynthesis (BIO911)

Photosynthesis is the fundamental metabolic process on earth. With a growing world population and climate-relevant energy consumption, the development of photocatalized energy production is a top priority. The biological approach is intensively studied because the molecular machines of photosynthetic autotrophic organisms provide us with a molecular blueprint to guide corresponding technology developments to enable the maintenance, evolution, and development of our heterotrophic human society.

Questions addressed in the lecture and laboratory course relate to the structural and functional foundations of photosynthetic quantum capture and electron transfer dynamics. The amount and function of photosynthetic complexes are experimentally determined. The units are localized in the thylakoid membrane. We strive to understand how the assembly of functional units for quantum capture and redox chemistry enables the highest metabolic yield to sustain plant life. Fundamental insights for biology and human technology development are generated.


Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

BIO911

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

4

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Language of instruction

Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

Wild-type plants are compared with mutants from Arabidopsis thaliana L. deficient in key photosynthetic regulatory protein subunits. Analysis of the leaf structure by microscopy is followed by phenotypic photosynthetic parameters. Characterization uses pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and spectrometry, leaf and chloroplast gas exchange measurements using polarimetry, membrane inlet mass, and infrared spectrometry. Photosynthetic protein complexes are quantified spectroscopically, and the complexes are isolated from the chloroplast compartments by chromatography and electrophoresis. The complex size and composition are determined using dynamic light scattering, chromatography, and components are identified using mass spectrometry. Data are organized and modeled to show how mutations in the photosynthetic protein complexes may affect photosynthetic performance.

Learning outcome

  • know the functional components for plant photosynthesis, and can
  • define and set up experiments for the determination of plant photosynthesis
  • record and interpret photosynthetic reactions in a plant leaf and chloroplasts
  • isolate and fractionate chloroplasts in the stroma and thylakoid and envelope membranes,
  • isolate and identify the photosynthesis-specific complexes and
  • apply all appropriate techniques
  • document laboratory operations, methods, results
  • report the experimental results and prepare analysis for publication

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Report 1/1 Passed / Not Passed

The laboratory work requires written documentation of each experiment with a brief introduction, result and discussion section. The quality of the practical conduction of the laboratory work and the written documentation is evaluated and assessed on a pass/fail basis.Re-sit options are not offered on the report. Students who do not pass the report can take this part again the next time the subject has regular teaching

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Lutz Andreas Eichacker

Method of work

The course is directed to Ph.D. students.

Photosynthesis literature, all study material, and practical information are sent out one month before the course. The study and understanding of the key concepts must be completed before arrival at the laboratory. The content is presented and discussed during the course.

The course consists of lectures, laboratory work, and a laboratory report for which a pass/fail certificate isissued. There is no exam in this course

Open for

Technology and Natural Science - PhD programme

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto