Environmental biochemistry

Ecological biochemistry involves the biochemistry of interactions between animals, plants and the environment, and includes such diverse subjects as the effects of plant toxins on herbivores or plant adaptations to soil pollutants.

According to the latest scientific concepts synthesis of plant secondary metabolites is a measure of matching plants to the environment, being the sort of the equivalent of the immune system of higher animals. The secondary plant metabolites play an important role in the interaction between animals and plants and between the plants in their environment. The lectures will address issues related to the adjustment of plant metabolism to natural conditions and the role which biochemical adaptation plays in shaping the biodiversity of organisms.

Lectures:

1. The secondary metabolism of plants and its role of environmental.

2-3. Biosynthesis of the main groups of secondary metabolites.

4. The costs and benefits of the synthesis of secondary metabolites - the specificity of the secondary metabolism of grasses.

5. Biochemical interactions between plants and animals.

6. Biochemistry of the pollination process - chemical base of flower color, fragrance and nutritional value of nectar and pollen.

7. Food preferences of insects - the basis for selection of plants by insects, attractants and repellents substances.

8 Hormonal interactions plants – animals.

9-10. Plant toxins and their effects on animals.

11. Ecological role of psychoactive substances and narcotic

12-13. Biochemical interactions between plants and between plants and microorganisms (allelopathy, host-parasite interaction).

14. Biochemical adaptations to soil and air pollutants.

15. The role of biochemical adaptation to maintain biodiversity.

Classes:

1-4. Collection of materials under field conditions

5-10. Comparative quantitative and qualitative analysis of alkaloids (TLC / HPLC) in related wild plants eaten and avoided by insects

J.B.Harbourne. Introduction to Environmental Biochemistry. Gulf Professional Publishing, 1993

Learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

1. Student knows the mechanisms of biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites and the role of these compounds.

2. Student explains the biochemical interactions between plants and the environment and between organisms in plant habitat.

Practical skills:

1. Student analyzes the differences in the metabolism of different species of plants as an expression of adaptation to specific environmental conditions

2. Student uses the technique of TLC / HPLC analysis of alkaloids

Social competence

1. Student knows the scope of having their knowledge of the ecology of biochemical and understands the need for continuous learning and training.

2. Student possess team-work ability.

3. Student understands the need for systematic work on the project.

4. Student is aware of the direct and indirect effects of human impact on the vegetation and populations of herbivorous organisms.

Classes:

a / evaluation of the quality of laboratory work (included analytical skills, correctness and accuracy of measurement, collaboration with other students), rated as 0 or 1

b / evaluation of laboratory reports including quality of data analysis, and interpretation), report rated as 0 to 4

Overall rating: (a + b): 5 – Grade A, 4 – Grade B, 3 – Grade C, 2 – Grade B, 1 or 0 – Grade E

Lectures:

written test exam (about 15 questions from the entire range of the subject with four response options), 0 or 1 pt. for each question

Grade E (2.0) 0-7 pts.

Grade D (3.0) 8-9 pts.

Grade C (3.5) 10 pts.

Grade B (4.0) 11-12 pts.

Grade B+ (4.5) 13 pts.

Grade A (5.0) 14-15 pts.

not applicable