Course Description

SPRING SEMESTER 2011

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