Presentation Roadmap
1-Introduction to Plant Physiology
2-Plant Cell Structure
3-Photosynthesis
4-Water and Nutrient Transport
5-Hormones and Signaling
6-Stress Responses
7-Applications and Future Directions
What Is Plant Physiology
*Study of physical, chemical, and biological functions in plants
*Explains how plants grow, develop, and respond to the
environment
*Foundations for agriculture, ecology, and biotechnology
Plant Cell Structure
*Cell wall provides rigidity and protection
*Plasma membrane regulates transport of molecules
*Chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis
*Large central vacuole stores water and nutrients
Overview of Photosynthesis
*Converts light energy into chemical energy
*General equation: CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂
*Occurs in chloroplasts of leaf cells
Light-Dependent Reactions
*Location: thylakoid membrane
*Photon absorption by photosystems I and II
*Water splitting releases O₂, generates ATP and NADPH
Calvin Cycle (Dark Reactions)
*Location: chloroplast stroma
*CO₂ fixation via Rubisco enzyme
*Uses ATP and NADPH to produce G3P suga
Water Transport and Transpiration
*Xylem vessels carry water from roots to leaves
*Cohesion-tension theory explains upward pull
*Stomata regulate water loss through transpiration
Mineral Nutrition
*Macronutrients: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S
*Micronutrients: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl
*Root hairs absorb ions via active and passive transport
Sugar Transport in Phloem
*Source organs load sucrose into sieve tubes
*Pressure-flow hypothesis drives bulk flow
*Sinks (roots, fruits) receive transported sugars
Plant Hormones and Signaling
*Auxin controls cell elongation and tropisms
*Gibberellin promotes stem growth and seed germination
*Cytokinin regulates cell division
*ABA triggers stomatal closure under drought
*Ethylene mediates fruit ripening
Growth Responses
Phototropism: bending toward light due to auxin gradients
Gravitropism: root and shoot orientation via statoliths
Thigmotropism: touch-induced growth changes in vines
Stress Physiology
Drought: osmolyte accumulation and ABA signaling
Salinity: ion homeostasis and selective transport
Temperature extremes: heat-shock proteins and antifreeze
proteins
Agricultural Applications
*Breeding and genetic engineering for stress tolerance
*Hydroponics and vertical farming optimize resource use
*CRISPR editing creates disease-resistant crops
Conclusions and Future Directions
Understanding physiology improves crop yield and
sustainability
Emerging fields: synthetic biology, high-throughput
phenotyping
Integrating omics data to predict plant performance
References
Taiz, L. & Zeiger, E. Plant Physiology and Development
Hopkins, W. G. & Hüner, N. P. A. Introduction to Plant
Physiology
Image sources: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash
Recent review articles in Trends in Plant Science
