Plant Molecular Biology

Plant Molecular Biology is a discipline that investigates the molecular basis of plant life, focusing on the structure, function, and regulation of genes and proteins within their complex networks. This discipline aims to understand how these molecules control fundamental processes such as plant development, photosynthesis, and responses to environmental stress. Through the application of genetic and biotechnological tools, researchers not only decipher these intricate systems but also engineer crops with improved traits, including disease resistance, drought tolerance, and enhanced nutritional value.

1. Foundations of Plant Molecular Biology
   1. Core Concepts and Scope
      1. Defining Plant Molecular Biology
      2. Historical Development of the Field
      3. The Central Dogma in Plants
         1. DNA Replication
         2. Transcription
         3. Translation
      4. Uniqueness of Plant Molecular Systems
         1. Plant-Specific Organelles
         2. Secondary Metabolite Pathways
         3. Cell Wall Biosynthesis
      5. Interdisciplinary Connections
         1. Genetics
         2. Biochemistry
         3. Cell Biology
         4. Plant Physiology
         5. Bioinformatics
   2. The Plant Cell
      1. Cellular Ultrastructure
         1. Cell Wall
            1. Composition and Structure
               1. Cellulose
               2. Hemicellulose
               3. Pectin
               4. Lignin
            2. Biosynthesis and Remodeling
               1. Cellulose Synthase Complexes
               2. Wall Loosening Enzymes
            3. Role in Growth and Defense
         2. Plasma Membrane
            1. Lipid Composition
            2. Membrane Proteins
            3. Transport Mechanisms
               1. Active Transport
               2. Passive Transport
               3. Facilitated Diffusion
         3. Cytoplasm and Cytoskeleton
            1. Microtubules
               1. Structure and Function
               2. Role in Cell Division
            2. Actin Filaments
               1. Cytoplasmic Streaming
               2. Cell Shape Maintenance
            3. Organelle Movement
         4. Nucleus
            1. Nuclear Envelope
               1. Nuclear Pores
               2. Nuclear Import and Export
            2. Nucleolus
               1. rRNA Processing
               2. Ribosome Assembly
            3. Chromatin Organization
               1. Euchromatin and Heterochromatin
               2. Chromosome Territories
         5. Plastids
            1. Chloroplasts
               1. Structure and Function
                  1. Thylakoid System
                  2. Stroma
                  3. Envelope Membranes
               2. Genome Organization
                  1. Gene Content
                  2. Gene Expression
            2. Amyloplasts
               1. Starch Storage
               2. Starch Biosynthesis
            3. Chromoplasts
            4. Leucoplasts
            5. Plastid Interconversion
         6. Mitochondria
            1. Structure and Function
               1. Cristae
               2. Matrix
               3. Intermembrane Space
            2. Genome Organization
               1. Gene Content
               2. RNA Editing
         7. Vacuole
            1. Tonoplast
               1. Transport Proteins
               2. Proton Pumps
            2. Storage and Homeostasis
               1. Ion Storage
               2. Metabolite Storage
            3. Role in Cell Expansion
               1. Turgor Pressure
               2. Cell Growth
         8. Endoplasmic Reticulum
            1. Rough ER
               1. Protein Synthesis
               2. Protein Folding
            2. Smooth ER
               1. Lipid Synthesis
               2. Detoxification
         9. Golgi Apparatus
            1. Protein Modification and Sorting
               1. Glycosylation
               2. Proteolytic Processing
            2. Vesicle Formation
         10. Peroxisomes
             1. Metabolic Functions
             2. Photorespiration
      2. Intercellular Communication
         1. Plasmodesmata
            1. Structure and Function
               1. Desmotubule
               2. Cytoplasmic Sleeve
            2. Regulation of Permeability
               1. Callose Deposition
               2. Protein Gating
            3. Role in Signaling and Development
               1. Molecular Transport
               2. Developmental Patterning
         2. Symplastic and Apoplastic Pathways
            1. Transport Routes
            2. Barrier Functions
   3. Model Organisms in Plant Research
      1. Criteria for Model Selection
         1. Small Genome Size
         2. Short Generation Time
         3. Ease of Transformation
         4. Available Resources
      2. Arabidopsis thaliana
         1. Genome Features
            1. Chromosome Organization
            2. Gene Density
         2. Advantages and Limitations
         3. Research Applications
      3. Rice (Oryza sativa)
         1. Importance in Food Security
         2. Genomic Resources
         3. Monocot Model System
      4. Maize (Zea mays)
         1. Genetic Diversity
         2. Model for C4 Photosynthesis
         3. Transposon Research
      5. Tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana)
         1. Use in Transient Expression
         2. Virus-Induced Gene Silencing
         3. Protein Production
      6. Moss (Physcomitrella patens)
         1. Model for Non-Seed Plants
         2. Homologous Recombination
         3. Evolutionary Studies
      7. Algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)
         1. Model for Photosynthesis
         2. Organelle Genetics
         3. Flagellar Biology