In this course, the structure, development and physiology of plants is studied at the level of cells, tissues and the whole plant. The focus is on the form and function relationships with respect to the main functions of the plant. The course consists of a cell biological/structural part (with emphasis on cell structure and organisation, cell division, plant morphogenesis and differentiation) and a physiological part (focussing on e.g. photosynthesis, respiration, water and ion transport, regulation of growth by plant hormones and light, and interaction between plants and micro-organisms). Next to general principles also plant developmental flexibility gets attention, as well as the diversity in the plant kingdom, e.g. differences between monocots and dicots, plants with and without secondary growth, and plants with C3-, C4- or CAM-photosynthesis.
Aims of the course are the creation of a good knowledge of the relationship between structure and function of the various parts of the plant body, including processes that regulate growth and development of plants and their interrelationships. Students get experience in the methods used to investigate and analyse the structural and physiological phenomena involved.