Plant Anatomy and Physiology

Characterization of the field

Plant physiology studies vital processes in plant organisms, deals with intrinsic relationships within plant body as well as interactions with the environment. At present, the traditional name „physiology“ de facto covers complex studies of plant biology including genetic, biochemical and ecological problems. It aims to elucidate coherence between structure and function at the level of whole organism, organs, tissues and cells. It makes use of the methods of biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, anatomy and ecology. Plant physiology contributes to the knowledge of general biology of living organisms including biomedical aspects.

Lectures, courses, and seminars

For the offer of lectures see The list of courses of Faculty of Science, Charles University. In addition to this list the Department offers further spectrum of courses.

Research topics studied at the department

1. Mineral nutrition
2. Plant physiological anatomy and cytology
3. Mechanisms of plant cell morphogenesis
4. Stress physiology
5. Plant cytoskeleton, its structure and function
6. Regulation of organogenesis and embryogenesis in vitro, the role of hormones and saccharides.
7. Construction and use of transgenic plants, plant biotechnology

Topics of PhD thesis

1. Hormonal regulation of cell cycle in cell lines.
2. Cytoskeleton and plant cell polarity, interactions with cell wall
3. Mechanism of microtuberisation
4. Influence of heavy metals on plant cell cytoskeleton apparatus
5. Role of small GTPases in plant cell morphology
6. Programmed cell death in plants, its initiatory factors and mechanisms
7. Quantitative study of chloroplast ultrastructure changes
8. Structure and function of wetland plants and their response to eutrophication.
9. Growth and morphogenesis of root system as affected by low pH and aluminium
10.Effect of temperature stress on division and differentiation of cells in vitro.

Subject-area Board

The subject-area board is available in Czech (Oborová rada). The Chairman is highlighted.