Warning! This subjects requires on campus attendance. Refer to Special Requirements for more information.

Subject details

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

  • outline and explain the structure of plants, including their tissues and organs, and the functions of each;
  • explain the way in which plants take in water and mineral nutrients, transport them to sites where they are used and metabolise them to allow the plant to survive and grow;
  • explain the role of soil in water and mineral nutrition;
  • explain the process of photosynthesis and the way in which the products are used and translocated by the plant both locally and throughout the plant;
  • explain the mechanisms by which plants regulate growth and development, and the economic applications of this knowledge, including tissue culture;
  • relate the physiology of a plant to its ecology and potential uses in bioremediation;
  • conduct experimental work, analyse the data and draw appropriate conclusions;
  • know and use basic information services available in the library, including computer-based services (e.g. catalogues, databases) to find specific information relevant to topics;
  • use computer applications for word-processing (Word), spreadsheet/database/graphics (Excel) and statistics (Minitab) in written reports;
  • write adequate practical reports in standard biological format.
    • Plant anatomy - cells and tissues
    • Plant anatomy - stem and root
    • Plant anatomy - leaf
    • Water relations - transpiration stream and control
    • Water relations - cellular aspects, stress physiology
    • Ionic relations - mineral nutrition, fertilisers, N and P cycles, ion uptake/transport
    • Photosynthesis - light reactions, C3 plants
    • Photosynthesis - C4/CAM plants, ecophysiology
    • Phloem translocation
    • Plant hormones and control of development (Auxins and GA)
    • Plant hormones and control of development (ABA and Ethylene)
    • Plant hormones and control of development (Cytokinin and Florigen)

  • Study resources

    • Online materials

      • Resources and Links
      • Quizzes
      • Online Assessment

    • Other materials

      • Practicum

No eligibility requirements

Special requirements

  • AttendanceDetails - Mandatory Practicals of five half days in Melbourne

Examine plant structure and function in this vocationally focused subject. You will review the morphology and anatomy of plants (how they are constructed), and the physiology of plants (how they work, in particular the processes of acquisition of water and ions, photosynthesis, and control of growth and development).

Topics include:

  • Morphology and anatomy of stems, roots and leaves;
  • Water relations;
  • Ionic relations;
  • Nutrition;
  • Photosynthesis;
  • Translocation;
  • Plant growth and development: and their relationships to plant ecology.

Please note the dates below for the compulsory requirements for this subject to attend laboratory classes at RMIT University's City Campus in central Melbourne:

2019, Study Period 2:

  • Jun 17 - 21, 2019 2:00pm - 6:00pm*

*More details will be provided at the commencement of the relevant Study Period and available on Blackboard.

  • Invigilated Theory Examination (50%)
  • Mid Study Period Test (10%)
  • Practical Report (30%)
  • Online Test (10%)

Textbook information is pending.

Related degrees

undergraduate RMI-SCI-DEG-2019

Bachelor of Science Applied Sciences