Learn Plant Biochemistry with outstanding experienced tutors. Our Problem-Based Approach for learning makes the learning experience practical and applied, helping you to understand, absorb and retain your new knowledge.
Lessons cover: Biochemical substances and terms, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, metabolism, the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, acidity and alkalinity, nutrition, hormones, chemical analysis and biochemical applications in industry.
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 9 lessons as follows:
- Introduction
- Lipids and proteins
- Enzymes
- Nitrogen and the nitrogen cycle
- Photosynthesis and respiration
- Assimilation and transpiration
- Acidity and alkalinity
- Chemical analysis
- Biochemical applications
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
AIMS
- Identify characteristics of common chemical compounds important in plant biochemistry.
- Explain the characteristics of major biochemical groups including; carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.
- Explain the characteristics of chemicals which control biological processes, including enzymes and hormones.
- Identify the role of nitrogen in plant biological processes, including the nitrogen cycle.
- Identify the role of photosynthesis in biological systems.
- Explain the role of respiration in plants.
- Explain characteristics of assimilation and transpiration in plants.
- Explain the effect of acidity and alkalinity on biochemical systems.
- Develop simple chemical analysis skills relevant to testing plants and soils.
- Identify applications and uses for biochemical processes and products.
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
Here are just some of the things you will be doing:
- Explain the formulae of ten specified, chemical compounds commonly found in plants.
- Calculate the percentages of elements contained in two specified chemical compounds.
- Differentiate between characteristics of major groups of biochemicals including:
- carbohydrates
- proteins
- amino acids
- lipids
- nucleic acids
- Compare differences between monosaccharides and polysaccharides.
- Differentiate between plant and animal biochemistry, with three specific examples of biochemical processes which are unique to each.
- Differentiate between a fat and an oil.
- Explain the characteristics of a specified protein formula.
- Compare two fibrous proteins with two globular proteins.
- Explain the functions of carbohydrates in plants.
- Explain two commercial applications for lipids for the learners chosen industry.
- Explain two commercial applications for proteins for the learners chosen industry.
- Explain two commercial applications for carbohydrates for the learners industry.
- Distinguish between an enzyme and a hormone.
- Explain how one specific enzyme functions in a living organism.
- Explain how one specific hormone functions in a living organism.
- Explain the relevance of hormones to the learners industry sector.
- Explain the relevance of enzymes to the learners industry sector.
- Explain plant inoculum in relation to nitrogen use in plants.
- Define relevant terminology, including:
- Nitrogen Fixation
- Ammonification
- Nitrification
- Denitrification
- Symbiotic Bacteria
- Explain the effect on plant yield of a deficiency in available nitrogen.
- Explain the effect on plant yield of an excess in available nitrogen.
- Compare differences in nitrogen deficiency symptoms between monocotyledons and dicotyledons.
- Analyse the nitrogen cycle with diagrams.
- Explain the significance of the nitrogen cycle to plants and animals.
- Perform an experiment comparing the growth of 4 plants grown under differing light conditions.
- Explain differences in plants grown under different light conditions.
- Explain the processes of photosynthesis, with diagrams.
- Explain the importance of photosynthesis to plants.
- List the main biochemical processes which occur during respiration in plants.
- Identify the differences between anaerobic and aerobic respiration.
- Explain glycolysis, including the sequence of chemical reactions which take place.
- Explain the Krebs cycle, including the sequence of chemical reactions involved.
- Compare respiration in a plant with respiration in an animal.
- Explain differences in plant respiration, under different climatic conditions, for a specified situation.
- Define relevant terminology, including:
- Transpiration
- Translocation
- Vapour Pressure
- Osmosis
- Evapotranspiration
- Assimilation
- Explain how water is absorbed into a plant, with the aid of diagrams.
- Explain how nutrients are absorbed into a plant, with the aid of diagrams.
- Perform, a simple experiment, showing the movement of dyed water into, and through a plant.
- Explain how water is moved about in a plant.
- Explain how nutrients are moved about in a plant.
- Explain the purpose of transpiration, in plant function.
- Define pH terminology including; acid, alkaline, base and neutral.
- Explain the control of acidity and alkalinity in different living organisms, using 4 specific examples, including:
- buffers
- chemical reactions
- Explain how soil pH affects plant nutrient availability.
- Explain plant responses to changes in soil pH.
- Analyse the effects of three different fertilizers on the pH of growing media.
- Explain the effects of abnormal pH levels in a specific case study of a physiological process, in a living organism.
- Identify factors involved in controlling acidity and alkalinity in a specific case study.
- Define relevant terminology, including:
- calibration
- electroconductivity
- chromatography
- colorimeter
- indicators
- Compare chemical pH test kits with chemical pH meters, in terms of the following:
- accuracy
- ease of use
- portability
- speed
- maintenance
- calibration
- costs
- Explain the practical applications of various analytical techniques including:
- chromatography (TLC, GC)
- colorimetry
- atomic absorption
- Determine the value of analytical techniques used in industry including:
- efficiency
- accuracy
- ease of use
- Differentiate between chemical toxicity and tolerance.
- Explain the implications of LD50 characteristics with five different chemical substances.
- Explain the implications of half-life characteristics with five different chemical substances.
- List the active toxins in ten poisonous plants which commonly occur in your home locality.
- Explain the effects of two naturally occurring toxins on the human body.
- Explain the function and use of two different plants as medicines for humans or animals.
- Determine three different applications for plant tissue culture.
