Plant cell biology

The objective of the course is to familiarize with structure and functions of plant cells with the emphasis of their unique properties. Classes provide valuable practice on cytological techniques including sectioning and staining, and various microscopic methods.

The course focuses on specific features of plant cell structure and functioning, such as plant cell wall, plastids, vacuoles, cell compartments and aspects of plant cell division. Students will learn the most recent hypotheses of plant cell origin and its current status. They will become familiarize with cytological and microscopic techniques, and novel methods in plant cell research. The exploitation of plant cells in modern biotechnology will also be discussed.

Origin and evolution of plant cell

Unique properties of plant cell

Novel methods in plant cell research

Living and nonliving plant cells

Plant cell wall and its modifications

Plastids – types and structure

Storage materials in plant cells

Functions of plant vacuoles

Plant cell nucleus and cell division

Plant cell as material for biotechnology

R. Larry, Carol A. Peterson and Lewis H. Melville. 2008.

Teaching Plant Anatomy Through Creative Laboratory Exercises – chosen chapters

Jane B. Reece, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Robert B. Jackson. 2011. CAMPBELL BIOLOGY. 9th edition. Unit 2: The Cell.

Edward Chee Tak Yeung, Claudio Stasolla, Michael John Sumner, Bing Quan Huang (eds). 2015. Plant microtechnics and protocols. Springer

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