6 ECTS credits
150 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1023752BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.
How does a plant work, and how does a fungus work? What fundamental differences are there between species, how did they arise, and what role do plants and fungi play in ecosystems? What adaptations do they have to extreme environmental conditions? And who actually 'leads the dance' in the symbiosis between plants and mycorrhyza fungi? This Plants & Fungi course introduces to fields that attempt to answer these questions. The course consists of three substantive parts: (1) phylogeny and taxonomy of plants and fungi, (2) the functioning of plants and fungi, and (3) ecology and the role of plants and fungi in ecosystems
1). The phylogeny and taxonomy will explain the evolution of plants and fungi. Particular attention is paid to the development of the terrestrial plants and related adaptations to understand the current structure and functionality. The taxonomy of mainly the seed plants and fungi is also illustrated and practiced during the practical. Identifying plants and mushrooms will be explained and practiced using a flora and a mushroom guide, but it will also be indicated how additional use can be made of apps.
2). The part 'functioning' or 'ecophysiology' mainly deals with plants, but also functional aspects of different groups of fungi (e.g. saprobes, mycorrhizas, pathogens, lichens) will be discussed. The functional aspects of plants deal with morphology, ecophysiology, growth and reproduction. It discusses the acquisition of important 'resources' such as carbon (via C3, C4 and CAM mechanisms of photosynthesis), water, and nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus). The transport of water and nutrients in xylem and phloem, the reactions of plants to light and herbivory and the action of plant hormones are discussed. Different plant-microbe symbioses (symbiotic nitrogen fixation, different mycorrhizas) will also be discussed for obtaining water and nutrients. The use of mutants in physiological research will be explained. Growth, development, and reproduction will be discussed, as well as differences in relative growth rates between plant species (by virtue of morphological and physiological plant traits), differences in plant strategies, and differences between endangered and invasive plant species. In the practical, attention will be paid to plant morphology, photosynthetic pigments and light absorption, water potential, stomata and transpiration, and the determination of nutrient limitation and toxicity. And above all, it will be made clear how much fun it is to do experiments with plants!
3). In the ecological part, attention will be paid to interactions between plant species (via competition and facilitation), between plants and fungi, between plants and pollinators, and between plants and herbivores. Some concepts from vegetation ecology will be discussed, and important roles of plants (e.g. primary production) and fungi (e.g. decomposition) in ecosystems will be explained. In the practical, vegetation recordings will be practiced, the influence of primary production on competition for light and thus biodiversity will be demonstrated, and practical aspects of decomposition studies will be shown. In a few 1-day excursions, aspects from the lectures in the field and the botanical/experimental garden will be shown and explained.
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The learning objectives of this course are threefold, corresponding to the three components of the course:
1. To develop a practical framework for thinking about the ancestry (phylogeny) and taxonomy of plants and fungi, and to develop the practical skills to identify plant and mushroom species.
2. To build an understanding of the functioning of plants and fungi, and to know important functional variations and adaptations therein. In addition, provide insight into the experimental approach that can be used to increase knowledge about the functioning of plants in particular.
3. Build an understanding of the ecology of plants and fungi, and of the roles these organisms play in ecosystems. In addition, develop practical skills in studying interactions between plants, fungi and other parts of ecosystems.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Participation in the WPO (practical and excursions) is compulsory. The exam can only be taken if you have participated in the WPOs and the report on it has been found to be sufficient.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Biology: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Geography: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Profile Cell and Gene Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Profile Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Initial track (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Biology: Ecology (only offered in Dutch)