Study the Biochemistry of Plants - Open learning - Tutor Support " Clients... that have completed courses with ACS that we have spoken to, have all been extremely happy. Leanne & myself are more than happy with the assistance we received and the prompt attention."
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There are biochemical differences between different species of living organisms, and those differences become greater as the organisms being considered become more remote from each other. For example, the biochemical differences between two different mammals are far less than the differences between animals and plants.
Plants are able to photosynthesise, trapping light energy from the sun and converting it into chemical energy, stored in carbohydrates. Animals cannot do this. Different organisms will contain and use different types of chemicals within their body. Animals often contain complex chemicals, which simply do not exist in the plant kingdom.
Student Comment: 'Having not finished high school myself and never studied biochemistry my confidence is a little low but the encouragement I am receiving from Honor [tutor] is a tremendous help and making it easier for me as I go. [The course] is helping me realize what I am actually capable of and that I am smarter than I thought. Thank you for making it possible for me to study my passion while still being able to work.' Melissa Smith, Australia, Biochemistry 1 (Diploma in Horticulture).
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are nine lessons as follows:
1. Introduction
2. Lipids and Proteins
3. Enzymes
4. Nitrogen and the Nitrogen Cycle
5. Photosynthesis and Respiration
6. Assimilation and Transpiration
7. Acidity and Alkalinity
8. Chemical Analysis
9. Biochemical Applications
.
LEARNING 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
- 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
- Compare differences between monosaccharides and polysaccharides
- 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 how one specific enzyme functions in a living organism
- Explain how one specific hormone functions in a living organism
- Compare differences in nitrogen deficiency symptoms in monocotyledons and dicotyledons
- Analyse the nitrogen cycle with diagrams
- Perform an experiment comparing the growth of 4 plants grown under differing light conditions
- Explain the processes of photosynthesis, with diagrams
- 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
- Perform, a simple experiment, showing the movement of dyed water into and through a plant
- Explain how nutrients are moved about in a plant
- Define pH terminology including; acid, alkaline, base and neutral
- 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.
- Differentiate between chemical toxicity and tolerance.
- Explain the implications of LD50 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.
- Determine three different applications for plant tissue culture.
Course Notes Extract:
Biochemical Process in the Cell
Several anatomical features are so small that they can be revealed only with the aid of an electron microscope. Some of these fine structures of the cell are non-essential inclusions, like blobs of fat, or particles of starch. Others called organelles, perform essential functions and are reproduced when the cell divides. Some of these functions are well known; others still elude us.
The mitochondria are organelles shaped like elongated slippers; their cross‑sectional diameters are about 1 micron. The highly differentiated structure of a mitochondrion contains some 40 enzymes, which control a complex series of redox reactions, including the conversion of diverse organic substances into ATP. The energy reservoir that is thus stored up is available for biomechanical work such as muscle contraction, for electrical work like the action of nerve impulses, and for the activation of other biochemical reactions. Because of these functions, the mitochondria have been called, by an analogy that not all mechanical engineers would accept, the "furnace of the cell".
Chloroplasts are organelles that occur in plant cells and that contain the green pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the catalyst for the endothermic process of photosynthesis, in which glucose is synthesized from carbon dioxide.
The nucleus is a well defined structure which contains the genetic material of the cell; the nucleus thus is the site of the reproductive function. Each time a cell divides, it reconstitutes itself. The ability of self duplication is retained by the new cells and is transmitted repeatedly through successive generations of cells. The reliability of this transmittal accounts for the continuity of species.
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Plant Biochemistry Distance Learning Course
- study the biochemistry of plants
- learn about lipids, proteins and enzymes; nitrogen and the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis and respiration in plants, transpiration and assimilation, pH, chemical analysis
- improve understanding of biochemistry applications
Student Comment: 'Having not finished high school myself and never studied biochemistry my confidence is a little low but the encouragement I am receiving from Honor [tutor] is a tremendous help and making it easier for me as I go. [The course] is helping me realize what I am actually capable of and that I am smarter than I thought. Thank you for making it possible for me to study my passion while still being able to work.' Melissa Smith, Australia, Biochemistry 1 (Diploma in Horticulture).
Chemistry is the study of the various elements that make up the physical world and how they interact. Organic chemistry is the study of chemical compounds containing carbon. “Bio” means “alive”, therefore biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of biological organisms and how organic chemical compounds react within living cells. In other words, biochemistry is about understanding the chemical reactions that make, break, run and repair living things and the components that make them up. Biochemistry’s goal is to understand the chemical basis of all biological phenomena.
This course is very similar to Biochemistry (Animals) but with an emphasis on plants. There is no need to take both. Prerequisite: Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful but not essential.
