CELB30110 Plant Cell Biology

Academic Year 2022/2023

The cell is the basic building block of eukaryotic organisms, and understanding how cells develop and their physiological responses to the environment are key to our understanding of plant growth and development. This module expands on your understanding of basic cell biology by using the stomatal guard cell as the system to understand plant cell biology. This series of lectures will explore the genetic and molecular regulation of stomatal development and how stomatal guard cells respond to internal and external signals through changes in ion transport to effect changes in stomatal guard cell turgor. Practical components of this module include demonstrations of (i) advanced microscopy techniques (including laser scanning confocal microscopy), (ii) biolistic transformation, and (iii) techniques to assay for stomatal function and stomatal development.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, you will have a clear understanding of stomatal development and the basic processes underlying turgor changes in plant cells. You will also have a fundamental understanding of ion-based signalling systems in plant cells. You will also have an appreciation of fluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscopy, data interpretation, along with writing and communication skills essential for a practising scientist.

Indicative Module Content:

Key topics covered will include:
(1) Ion transport
(2) roles and functions of transport proteins (pumps, channels)
(3) functions of transport proteins and ion transport in plant cell physiology
(4) second messengers in cellular signalling
(5) developmental genetics of stomatal development

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Practical

24

Specified Learning Activities

6

Autonomous Student Learning

83

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches used in the module will include combinations of some of or all of the following:

(1) task-based and problem-based learning
(2) lectures
(3) reports
(4) demonstrations of lab techniques for plant cell biology

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Practical assignments. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Examination: End-of-trimester examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

80


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given for practical assignments via BrightSpace. Students are required to sit for a end-of-trimester examination.

Name Role
Ms Ciara Graham Tutor