Course Description
Topics in Plant Biochemistry
BIOLOGY - PBIO 4601
SPRING SEMESTER 2007
Meeting Times: 8:45-10:00 am, Tu/Th
Location: 257 Biological Sciences Center, St. Paul Campus
Instructor: Florence Gleason, iqa6016@umn.edu
This course is intended for upper level undergraduate and graduate
students who need a background course in biochemistry that is specifically
focused on processes unique to photosynthetic organisms. The course will
start with an analysis of photosynthesis and carbon metabolism in plants.
An introduction to carbohydrates will be followed by a discussion of
primary cell wall structure and synthesis. Basic metabolic pathways for
synthesis of lipids, steroids, and aromatic amino acids will be covered
as a background for the introduction to natural products such as lignin,
flavonoids, and alkaloids.
Pre-requisites for the course are general biology and chemistry, including
a minimum of one semester of organic chemistry. A background in plant
biology is helpful, but not essential. Grading will be done on an A-F
basis. Grades will be determined by written exams and discussions/short
written reports of papers from the scientific literature.
For additional information, contact: Florence K. Gleason, Department
of Plant Biology, Phone: 612-625-4275, e-mail: iqa6016@umn.edu
LECTURE OUTLINE
Introduction to photosynthetic organisms
Bioenergetics and overview of photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
The
Light Reaction
Photosystems
ATP
Synthesis
CO
2 Fixation
RuBisCo
and enzyme kinetics
C-3
Cycle
C-4
Cycle
Regulation
of photosynthesis
Introduction to carbohydrates
Sugar
structures, synthesis of polysaccharides
Carbon
metabolism in the choroplast
Starch
synthesis
Pentose
phosphate pathway
Carbon
export
Sucrose
synthesis and transport in vascular plants
Cellulose
synthesis and composition of primary cell walls
Introduction to lipids
Fatty
acid biosynthesis in plants
Di-
and tri- glycerides
Special
plant lipids
Isoprenoid metabolism
Biosynthetic
pathways
Monoterpenes,
sesquiterpenes, phytosterols, diterpenes
Enzymes
with multiple functions - mechanisms and evolution
Shikimic acid pathway and derivatives
Phenylpropanoid pathway
Phenolic
compounds
Lignin
and secondary cell walls
Regulation
Chalcone synthase and related enzymes
Flavonoids
Classes
of compounds, synthesis, functions
Cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates
Alkaloids - synthesis and functions
Plant defense proteins and peptides
Defensins
and related proteins
Synthesis
and functions of non-ribosomal peptides
|
Return
to: CBS: CFANS: U
of M Home
