The reductionist approach to study of life forms resulted in increasing use of physio-chemical concepts and techniques. Majority of these studies employed either surviving tissue model or straightaway cell free systems. An explosion of knowledge resulted in molecular biology. Molecular physiology became almost synonymous with biochemistry and biophysics. However, it is now being increasingly realised that neither a purely organismic approach nor a purely reductionistic molecular approach would reveal the truth about biological processes or living phenomena. Systems biology makes us believe that all living phenomena are emergent properties due to interaction among components of the system under study. Regulatory network of molecules, supra molecular assemblies, cells, tissues, organisms and indeed, populations and communities, each create emergent properties. This course brings to you the chapters various physiological processes like digestion, exchange of gases, blood circulation, locomotion and movement, coordination and regulation of body events at the organismic level.The description of structure and variation of living organisms over a period of time, ended up as two, apparently irreconcilable perspectives on biology. The two perspectives essentially rested on two levels of organisation of life forms and phenomena. One described at organismic and above level of organisation while the second described at cellular and molecular level of organisation. The first resulted in ecology and related disciplines. The second resulted in physiology and biochemistry. Description of physiological processes, in flowering plants as an example, is what is given in the chapters in this unit. The processes of mineral nutrition of plants, photosynthesis, transport, respiration and ultimately plant growth and development are described in molecular terms but in the context of cellular activities and even at organism level. Wherever appropriate, the relation of the physiological processes to environment is also discussed.
Overview
Syllabus
Chapter No.
Module No.
Module Name
Chapter 11
Module 1
Transport in Plants Part 1
Module 2
Transport in Plants Part 2
Module 3
Transport in Plants Part 3
Chapter 12
Module 4
Plant Physiology (Mineral Nutrition): Part – 1
Module 5
Plant Physiology (Mineral Nutrition): Part – 2
Chapter 13
Module 6
Early Experiments of Photosynthesis
Module 7
Light Reactions of Photosynthesis
Chapter 14
Module 8
Respiration in Plants: Part – 1
Module 9
Respiration in Plants: Part – 2
Module 10
Respiration in Plants: Part – 3
Chapter 15
Module 11
Plant Growth and Development: Part – 1
Module 12
Plant Growth and Development: Part – 2
Module 13
Plant Growth and Development: Part – 3
Chapter 16
Module 14
Digestiveand Absorption - Part 1
Module 15
Digestiveand Absorption - Part 2
Module 16
Digestiveand Absorption - Part 3
Chapter 17
Module 17
Breathing and Exchange of Gases
Module 18
Mechanism of Respiration
Chapter 18
Module 19
Body Fluids and Circulation: Part – 1
Module 20
Body Fluids and Circulation: Part – 2
Module 21
Body Fluids and Circulation: Part – 3
Module 22
Body Fluids and Circulation: Part – 4
Chapter 19
Module 23
The concept of excretion
Module 24
Excretory Products and Their Elimination
Chapter 20
Module 25
Locomotion and Movement: Part – 1
Module 26
Locomotion and Movement: Part – 2
Module 27
Locomotion and Movement: Part – 3
Module 28
Locomotion and Movement: Part – 4
Chapter 21
Module 29
General Organization of Nervous System
Module 30
Brain and Spinal cord
Module 31
Neuron and Transmission of Nerve Impulse
Module 32
Structure and Physiology of Eye and Ear
Chapter 22
Module 33
Chemical Coordination and Integration – Part 1
Module 34
Chemical Coordination and Integration – Part 2
Module 35
Chemical Coordination and Integration – Part 3
Final Assessment
Taught by
Dr. Sunita Farkya
