Plant Genetics

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Plant Genetics

Biology

N010

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

2

Self-studies

9

Seminars

0

Aims of course

To expand knowledge about plant development, molecular mechanisms of its genetic control and the impact of the environment on plant development.

Main topics

Model plants used in molecular genetics and plant physiology. Structure and expression of plant nuclear genome, comparison with genomes of other groups of biological systems, exceptional properties of plant genomes. Mechanisms of plant genome size variation and evolution of plant genome architecture. Homologs, orthologs and paralogs, analysis and significance of duplications (including whole genome duplications), synteny. Repetitive sequences, mobile genome elements and insertional mutagenesis.

Biogenesis of various types of plastids, genomic structure and functioning of plant and algae chloroplasts and mitochondria.

Major classes of phytohormones, their physiological role, mechanisms of biosynthesis and inactivation, receptors, their localization, signal transduction pathways and phytohormone-mediated gene regulation, application in practice.

Structure, genetic and molecular regulation of seed storage proteins of cupin and prolamine superfamily. Protective proteins of seeds.

Plant photoreceptors. Molecular structure, activation and signal transduction mechanisms of phytochromes, cryptochromes, phototropins and UV receptors. Circadian rhythms of plants. Significance and functioning of the central oscillator.

Genetic and molecular basis of floral induction pathways. Genetics of self-incompatibility, gametophytic and sporophytic types of S-incompatibility, genetic determinants, pollen allergens.

Cytoplasmic male sterility, its genetic nature, types, practical use for heterosis.

Genetics of resistance to various environmental stressors. Plant genetic engineering (problems and results).

Main literature

1.     V. Rančelis. Augalų genetika. Kaunas, Technologija, 2008

2.      B. B. Buchanan, W. Gruissem, R. L. Jones, K. Vickers. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants. Wiley-Blackwell, 2015

3.     R. Jones, H. Ougham, H. Thomas, S. Waaland. The Molecular Life of Plants. Wiley-Blackwell, 2012

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Exam

During the exam, the student answers three open questions. Passing score: 5. Knowledge and skills are evaluated with points from 1 to 10. 10 (excellent) – excellent, exceptional knowledge and abilities, 91-100 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 9 (very good) – very good knowledge and abilities, 81-90 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 8 (good) – knowledge and abilities are above average (a student independently, reasonably, clearly states the essence of the given question, is well acquainted with the terminology of the taught subject), 71-80 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 7 (average) - average knowledge and abilities; there are few not essential mistakes (a student independently but incoherently and without justification sets out the essence of the question, uses the basic definitions of the subject), 61-70 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 6 (satisfactory) – knowledge and abilities are below average, there are mistakes, 56-60 percentile of the intended learning outcome (a student independently, but inconsistently, superficially, unclearly presents the essence of the question, understands the main definitions of the subject); 5 (weak) – knowledge and abilities meet the minimum requirements (a student independently but vaguely, without analysis, inconsistently presents the essence of the question, partially understands the basic definitions of the subject), 50-55 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 4,3,2,1 (insufficient) - the minimum requirements are not met.

Seminar presentation

Passing score: 5. Knowledge and skills are evaluated with points from 1 to 10. 10 (excellent) – excellent, exceptional knowledge and abilities, 91-100 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 9 (very good) – very good knowledge and abilities, 81-90 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 8 (good) – knowledge and abilities are above average (a student independently, reasonably, clearly states the essence of the given question, is well acquainted with the terminology of the taught subject), 71-80 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 7 (average) - average knowledge and abilities; there are few not essential mistakes (a student independently but incoherently and without justification sets out the essence of the question, uses the basic definitions of the subject), 61-70 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 6 (satisfactory) – knowledge and abilities are below average, there are mistakes, 56-60 percentile of the intended learning outcome (a student independently, but inconsistently, superficially, unclearly presents the essence of the question, understands the main definitions of the subject); 5 (weak) – knowledge and abilities meet the minimum requirements (a student independently but vaguely, without analysis, inconsistently presents the essence of the question, partially understands the basic definitions of the subject), 50-55 percentile of the intended learning outcome; 4,3,2,1 (insufficient) - the minimum requirements are not met.

Raimondas Šiukšta

Dr.

Doc.

Tatjana Čėsnienė

Dr.

Doc.

Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sciences Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman