Plant Science
by La Trobe University
This course material is only available in the iTunes U app on iPhone or iPad.
Course Description
Plant Science focusses on the green, silent, and motionless life forms we take for granted. Plants are amazing organisms. Literally rooted in one spot, they are able to cope with a wide range of environmental conditions, while at the same time using only light, carbon dioxide and water to generate energy-rich sugars that drive and support the vast majority of life on the surface of our planet. In this series of lectures we take a closer look at 4 major themes that highlight the importance and the unique features of plants:
1) Interaction between plants, via roots, and soil;
2) Regulation of growth and development by plant hormones;
3) Leaf structure and photosynthesis
4) Cell walls, stems, and vascular tissue
5) Plant biotechnology
Recommended textbook:
Ladiges, P., Evans, B., Saint, R., and Knox, B. (2010) Biology: An Australian Focus. McGraw-Hill, North Ryde, Australia.
| Name | Description | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
Plant Biotechnology II | In these two lectures we have a brief look at what biotechnology actually means, and our challenges in the time of rapid population growth and climate change. | 48:05 | Free | View in iTunes |
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2 |
Plant Biotechnology I | In these two lectures we have a brief look at what biotechnology actually means, and our challenges in the time of rapid population growth and climate change. | 43:21 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 3 | Plant Biotechnology (handout) | In these two lectures we have a brief look at what biotechnology actually means, and our challenges in the time of rapid population growth and climate change. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
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4 |
Stems I | A very important part of plant cells is located outside the cells themselves: plant cell walls. | 48:45 | Free | View in iTunes |
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5 |
Photosynthesis II | So how does photosynthesis actually work? In this lecture we explore the structures that capture light energy, photosystems 1 and 2, and how that light energy is harnessed to generate NADPH, and to build up a proton gradient across the thylakoid membran | 50:30 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 6 | Stems I (handout) | A very important part of plant cells is located outside the cells themselves: plant cell walls. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
| 7 | Photosynthesis II (handout) | So how does photosynthesis actually work? In this lecture we explore the structures that capture light energy, photosystems 1 and 2, and how that light energy is harnessed to generate NADPH, and to build up a proton gradient across the thylakoid membran | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
|
8 |
Leaves II | Leaves have features that prevent uncontrolled water loss such as cuticles and wax layers. | 39:50 | Free | View in iTunes |
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9 |
Leaves | Leaves are the main "organs" of plants responsible for capturing light energy, and converting it through fixation of carbondioxide into chemical energy in the form of sugars. | 31:51 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 10 | Leaves II (handout) | Leaves have features that prevent uncontrolled water loss such as cuticles and wax layers. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
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11 |
Plant Hormones III | The third and final lecture on plant hormones is about brewing beer and Prince. No, of course not, but both are used as examples for the effects of gibberellins and abscisic acid. | 44:49 | Free | View in iTunes |
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12 |
Plant Hormones II | This lecture is about specific effects of two groups of plant hormones: cytokinins, and ethylene. | 43:20 | Free | View in iTunes |
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13 |
Plant Hormones | The discovery of plant hormones in general - watch out for the appearance of an unlikely scientist - and look at specific effects of the phytohormone auxin, such as phototropism in shoots and geotropism in the roots, and apical dominance. | 48:20 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 14 | Plant Hormones III (handout) | The third and final lecture on plant hormones is about brewing beer and Prince. No, of course not, but both are used as examples for the effects of gibberellins and abscisic acid. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
| 15 | Plant Hormones II (handout) | This lecture is about specific effects of two groups of plant hormones: cytokinins, and ethylene. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
|
16 |
Symbiosis | Plants can't do it all by themselves. In order to get the most out of the soil and, indeed, the air, most plants form symbiotic relationships with bacteria and fungi. We take a look at Anabaena, root nodules, and mycorrhizae. | 41:38 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
17 |
How Roots Grow | Roots anchor plants in soil, are responsible for the uptake of water and nutrients, and control which molecules are ultimately taken up by the plant. | 39:33 | Free | View in iTunes |
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18 |
Roots and Soils | In this lecture we take an introductory look at the role of soil in plant growth. We will briefly go over how soil is formed, what makes a good soil or a bad soil, what nutrients can typically be found, and how nutrient cycles critically involve soil. | 43:41 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 19 | Symbiosis (handout) | Plants can't do it all by themselves. In order to get the most out of the soil and, indeed, the air, most plants form symbiotic relationships with bacteria and fungi. We take a look at Anabaena, root nodules, and mycorrhizae. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
| 20 | Plant Hormones (handout) | The discovery of plant hormones in general - watch out for the appearance of an unlikely scientist - and look at specific effects of the phytohormone auxin, such as phototropism in shoots and geotropism in the roots, and apical dominance. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
| 21 | How Roots Grow (handout) | Roots anchor plants in soil, are responsible for the uptake of water and nutrients, and control which molecules are ultimately taken up by the plant. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
| 22 | Roots and Soils (handout) | In this lecture we take an introductory look at the role of soil in plant growth. We will briefly go over how soil is formed, what makes a good soil or a bad soil, what nutrients can typically be found, and how nutrient cycles critically involve soil. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
| 23 | Leaves (handout) | Leaves are the main "organs" of plants responsible for capturing light energy, and converting it through fixation of carbondioxide into chemical energy in the form of sugars. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
| 24 | Leaves and Photosynthesis I (handout) | In this lecture we will discuss the discovery of photosynthesis, and the general principle of the process. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
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25 |
Leaves and photosynthesis I | In this lecture we will discuss the discovery of photosynthesis, and the general principle of the process. | 40:12 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 26 | Stems II (handout) | The transition from water to land required plants to develop efficient transport pipelines for water and nutrients to the leaves, and for energy-rich carbohydrates to tissues that require energy. | -- | Free | View in iTunes |
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27 |
Stems II | The transition from water to land required plants to develop efficient transport pipelines for water and nutrients to the leaves, and for energy-rich carbohydrates to tissues that require energy. | 49:17 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 27 Items |
Customer Reviews
calophylum
a bit old for learning but this course has me stumbling in the undergrowth even more.
Good basis for those who know little and have limited attention span.
