January 23, 2026

Self-study module Introduction to Plant Biology - Plant hormones

This self-study module is part of the series ‘Introduction to Plant Biology’ and introduces plant hormones, explaining how chemical signaling enables communication and coordination within plants. It is designed for students learning basic plant biology and for teachers seeking clear figures and explanations for educational use. The module covers fundamental concepts of cell signaling and signal transduction and examines the functions and interactions of major plant hormones, including auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, gibberellins, ethylene, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, brassinosteroids, and strigolactones, in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to the environment.

December 19, 2025

Self-study module Introduction to Plant Biology - Photosynthesis light-independent reaction

This self-study module is part of the series ‘Introduction to Plant Biology’ and focuses on the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis, the Calvin cycle. It is designed for students studying basic plant biology and for teachers seeking clear explanations and illustrative figures for educational use. The module explains how plants convert carbon dioxide into sugars, the role of rubisco in carbon fixation, and the process of photorespiration. Students explore how photosynthesis is linked to stomatal function, how plants have adapted to extreme environmental conditions through C₄ and CAM photosynthesis, and how sugars are converted into starch for energy storage and the role of source-sink relationships. Finally, the module connects photosynthesis to plant respiration and overall energy balance.

December 19, 2025

Self-study module Introduction to Plant Biology - Photosynthesis light-dependent reaction

This self-study module is part of the series ‘Introduction to Plant Biology’ and introduces the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis and their role in converting light energy into chemical energy. It is designed for students studying basic plant biology and for teachers seeking clear explanations and illustrative figures for educational use. The module explains the two photosynthetic reactions: light-dependent and light-independent, with a focus on the processes occurring in the chloroplast during the light-dependent phase. Students explore the formation of the energy carriers ATP and NADPH, the splitting of water into oxygen, and the role of fluorescence as an indicator of disturbances in the photosynthetic process and therefore plant health.

December 19, 2025

Self-study module Introduction to Plant Biology - Abiotic stress

This self-study module is part of the series ‘Introduction to Plant Biology’ and introduces abiotic stress in plants and explains how plants cope with and adapt to challenging environmental conditions. It is designed for students learning basic plant biology and for teachers seeking clear figures and explanations for educational use. The module covers key abiotic stresses - heat, cold, flooding, drought, salinity, and high light intensity - and examines the physiological, structural, and adaptive strategies plants use to survive and grow under these conditions.

December 19, 2025

Self-study module Introduction to Plant Biology - Water in plants

This self-study module is part of the series ‘Introduction to Plant Biology’ and focuses on the role of water in plants, explaining how water is taken up, transported, and regulated to support plant growth and survival. It is designed for students learning basic plant biology and for teachers seeking clear figures and explanations for educational use. The module covers water uptake by roots, long-distance water transport through the xylem and phloem, the relationship between stomata and transpiration, and examines how environmental factors influence these processes.

December 19, 2025

Self-study module Introduction to Plant Biology - Plant anatomy

This self-study module is part of the series ‘Introduction to Plant Biology’ and focusses on plant anatomy. It is designed for students studying basic plant biology and for teachers seeking clear explanations and illustrative figures for educational use. The module covers the plant life cycle and provides a basic understanding of plant structure and function, from plant cells to whole organs. Students explore the anatomy of plant organs (stem, root, leaf, flower, and seed) and specialized cell types such as stomata and root hairs. In addition, the module introduces key plant cell organelles, including the nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, vacuole and the cell wall, and explains their roles in plant function.

December 19, 2025

Self-study module Introduction to Plant Biology - Plant nutrients

This self-study module is part of the series ‘Introduction to Plant Biology’ and introduces plant nutrients and their essential roles in plant growth and development. It is designed for students studying basic plant biology and for teachers seeking clear explanations and illustrative figures for educational use. The module explores the distinction between macronutrients and micronutrients, provides examples of key nutrients, and explains how plants respond to different types of nutrient deficiencies. In addition, it addresses how nutrient management practices in agriculture are used to prevent deficiencies and reduce yield losses.

October 1, 2025

An analysis of the current developments and scenarios for the transition to a fossil-free energy society this century

This century, greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxides must be significantly reduced. Greenhouse gases absorb and emit infrared radiation that contributes to global warming, which can lead to irreversible negative consequences for humans and the environment. Greenhouse gases are caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as crude oil, coal, and natural gas, but livestock farming and agriculture are also to blame. In addition, deforestation contributes to more greenhouse gases. Of the natural greenhouse gases, water vapor is the main cause of the greenhouse effect, accounting for 90%. The remaining 10% is caused from high to low by carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone. In addition, there are industrial greenhouse gases such as fluorinated hydrocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride that contribute to the greenhouse effect too. Greenhouse gases are a major cause of climate change, with far-reaching consequences for the welfare of humans and animals. In some regions, extreme weather events like rainfall are more common, while others are associated with more extreme heat waves and droughts. Sea level rise caused by melting ice and an increase in forest fires are undesirable effects of climate change. Countries in low-lying areas fear that sea level rise will force their populations to move to the higher-lying areas. Climate change is affecting the entire world. An estimated 30-40% o f the carbon dioxide released by the combustion of fossil fuels dissolves into the surface water, resulting in an increased concentration of hydrogen ions. This causes the seawater to become more acidic, resulting in a decreasing of carbonate ions. Carbonate ions are an important building block for forming and maintaining calcium carbonate structures of organisms such as oysters, mussels, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous plankton.

2017

Photosynthesis

Online learning module about photosynthesis and plant physiology Developed by the Department(s) EPS - Laboratory of Plant Physiology.

November 28, 2016

Societal Aspects of the Biobased economy