As an Undergraduate Biological Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer based tools to enable students in developing a comprehensive understanding about the core topics of plant pathology, mycology, plant response to biotic stress and medicinal botany. Plants being immobile, synthesize a diversity of chemical compounds predominantly for their protection against predators and microbes. These compounds are either secreted or accumulated within the biosynthetic cells; and are classified as primary and secondary metabolites.
Primary metabolites are essential for basic photosynthesis, growth and development of plants whereas, secondary metabolites include pigments, antibiotics, toxins, alkaloids, scents that are synthesized in different parts of the plants according to their utilization. They play an important role in defense mechanisms, act as important signaling molecules under different environmental stresses and thus play a crucial role in adaptation of plants to changing climatic conditions. A rapid alteration in climate affected the biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants.This lesson will help students understand the importance of secondary metabolites, its biosynthesis and their role in plant defense responses. Secondary metabolites are not only important for plants to defend, but are highly useful to humans for their medicinal uses such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, and anti-viral compounds; anti-ageing properties, anthelmintic properties, immunosuppressant attributes, cholesterol lowering effects and many more. STudents will also learn how climate change disrupts the delicate balance of the ecosystems, altering the temperature and precipitation patterns; thereby, affecting the production of secondary metabolites in plants. These compounds, critical for defense and adaptation, may undergo shifts, potentially impacting plant resilience and their interaction with other organisms.
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in the Biological Sciences.
The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
Teacher-contributed lesson plan by Dr. Pamil Tayal, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi.
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Video (17 min)
Use the video titled “Plants Secondary Metabolites” by Bio Minerals Technologies, Inc. to introduce students to the basics of plant pigments and its types – as primary and secondary metabolites. This video describes secondary metabolites in detail as organic compounds synthesized by the plants that are not only essential for their immediate growth and reproduction, but also play a crucial role in defense mechanisms against herbivores, pathogens and environmental stressors. It also provides details about alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics and sulfated amino acids; their subdivisions; and provides sufficient examples. The students will also gain understating about their medicinal and economic value in flavor, fragrance and pharmaceutical industries
Reading (15 min)
Use the reading titled, “Influence of Carbon Dioxide Enrichment on Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Plants” by Shahram Sharafzadeh and Kourosh Ordookhani of the Islamic Azad University, Iran to discuss the effects of CO2 levels in the accumulation of secondary metabolites. This review paper states that the CO2 levels have been increasing after the industrial revolution. Increased CO2 concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis and activity of Rubisco enzyme. The paper highlights many conclusions stated by various researchers, that the effect of CO2 on plant biomass, stomatal conductance, and various secondary metabolites of a particular plant. The paper concludes that the concentration of secondary metabolites is influenced by various environmental factors such as light, temperature, soil water and nutrients as they may interact with CO2 levels. It suggested that the concentration of secondary metabolites in plants is intricately shaped by an interplay of environmental factors. Light intensity and quality dictate the rate of photosynthesis, affecting the production of precursors for these compounds. Temperature fluctuations can modify enzymatic activity, either boosting or inhibiting the synthesis of specific metabolites. Soil water availability and nutrients content influence a plant’s metabolic pathways, indirectly influencing secondary metabolite production. Importantly, these environmental cues can synergize with atmospheric CO2 levels, potentially altering the balance of metabolite synthesis due to CO2 role in photosynthetic and metabolic processes.
Reading (20 mins)
Use the reading titled “Climate Change Effects on Secondary Compounds of Forest Trees in the Northern Hemisphere” by Jarmo K. Holopainen, et al. to discuss the effects of climatic changes on plant secondary metabolites. The reading states that secondary metabolites are produced by several metabolic pathways and many of them are specific for a few plant genera or families. In forest ecosystems the full-grown trees constitute the majority of plant biomass and are capable of producing significant amounts of secondary metabolites. There was strong evidence that major climate change factors, such as CO2 increase and warming, have contradictory effects on the main groups of secondary metabolites for example CO2 increases phenolic compounds in foliage, but limits terpenoids in foliage and emissions; however warming decreases phenolic compounds in foliage but increases terpenoids foliage and emissions. The secondary metabolites may help trees to adapt to a changing climate and to pressure from current and invasive pests and pathogens.
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Reading (Time – 20 min) | The reading material highlights the interactive effects of heat shock and elevated carbon levels on the isoprene secondary metabolism in Salix sp.
This can be accessed here |
| 2 | Reading (Time – 15 min) | The book chapter discusses the different classes of secondary
metabolites produced by plants, their classification in different families
and their importance in medicinal plants.
This can be accessed here. |
| 3 | Reading (Time – 15 min) | The book chapter discusses the altered expression of secondary
metabolites and its correlation with plant evolution. It also focuses on
the environmental factors triggering the evolutionary response along
with the ecological roles of each metabolite in plants.
This can be accessed here. |
| 1 | Video “17 Plant Secondary Metabolites” | Bio Minerals Technologies,Inc. , Youtube |
| 2 | Reading “Influence of Carbon Dioxide Enrichment on Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Plants” | By Shahram Sharafzadeh and Kourosh Ordookhani, Islamic Azad University |
| 3 | Reading “Climate Change Effects On Secondary Compounds Of forest In Trees In Northern Hemisphere” | By Jarmo K. Holopainen, Virpi Virjamo , Rajendra P. Ghimire , James D. Blande , Riitta Julkunen-Tiitto and Minna Kivimäenpää |
| 4 | Additional resources | Frontiers , intechopen.com |
| 5 | Additional Resources | Science Direct, by Akhileshwar Kumar Shrivastava, Pragyan Mishra |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
1. Introduce the topic through a video lecture
Video (17 mins)
Use the video titled “Plants Secondary Metabolites” by Bio Minerals Technologies, Inc. to introduce students to the basics of plant pigments and its types – as primary and secondary metabolites. This video describes secondary metabolites in detail as organic compounds synthesized by the plants that are not only essential for their immediate growth and reproduction, but also play a crucial role in defense mechanisms against herbivores, pathogens and environmental stressors. It also provides details about alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics and sulfated amino acids; their subdivisions; and provides sufficient examples. The students will also gain understating about their medicinal and economic value in flavor, fragrance and pharmaceutical industries.
2. Introduce the impact of CO2 rise on Secondary Metabolites in Plants
Reading (15 mins)
Use the reading titled, “Influence of Carbon Dioxide Enrichment on Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Plants” by Shahram Sharafzadeh and Kourosh Ordookhani of the Islamic Azad University, Iran to discuss the effects of CO2 levels in the accumulation of secondary metabolites. This review paper states that the CO2 levels have been increasing after the industrial revolution. Increased CO2 concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis and activity of Rubisco enzyme. The paper highlights many conclusions stated by various researchers, that the effect of CO2 on plant biomass, stomatal conductance, and various secondary metabolites of a particular plant. The paper concludes that the concentration of secondary metabolites is influenced by various environmental factors such as light, temperature, soil water and nutrients as they may interact with CO2 levels. It suggested that the concentration of secondary metabolites in plants is intricately shaped by an interplay of environmental factors. Light intensity and quality dictate the rate of photosynthesis, affecting the production of precursors for these compounds. Temperature fluctuations can modify enzymatic activity, either boosting or inhibiting the synthesis of specific metabolites. Soil water availability and nutrients content influence a plant’s metabolic pathways, indirectly influencing secondary metabolite production. Importantly, these environmental cues can synergize with atmospheric CO2 levels, potentially altering the balance of metabolite synthesis due to CO2 role in photosynthetic and metabolic processes.
3. Further discuss the impact of Climate Change on Plants Secondary Metabolites
Reading (20 mins)
Use the reading titled “Climate Change Effects on Secondary Compounds of Forest Trees in the Northern Hemisphere” by Jarmo K. Holopainen, et al. to discuss the effects of climatic changes on plant secondary metabolites. The reading states that secondary metabolites are produced by several metabolic pathways and many of them are specific for a few plant genera or families. In forest ecosystems the full-grown trees constitute the majority of plant biomass and are capable of producing significant amounts of secondary metabolites. There was strong evidence that major climate change factors, such as CO2 increase and warming, have contradictory effects on the main groups of secondary metabolites for example CO2 increases phenolic compounds in foliage, but limits terpenoids in foliage and emissions; however warming decreases phenolic compounds in foliage but increases terpenoids foliage and emissions. The secondary metabolites may help trees to adapt to a changing climate and to pressure from current and invasive pests and pathogens.
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Reading (Time – 20 min) | The reading material highlights the interactive effects of heat shock and
elevated carbon levels on the isoprene secondary metabolism in Salix sp
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Reading (Time – 15 min) | The book chapter discusses the different classes of secondary
metabolites produced by plants, their classification in different families
and their importance in medicinal plants.
This can be accessed here. |
| 3 | Reading (Time – 15 min) | The book chapter discusses the altered expression of secondary
metabolites and its correlation with plant evolution. It also focuses on
the environmental factors triggering the evolutionary response along
with the ecological roles of each metabolite in plants.
This can be accessed here. |
| 1 | Video “17 Plant Secondary Metabolites” | Bio Minerals Technologies,Inc. , Youtube |
| 2 | Reading “Influence of Carbon Dioxide Enrichment on Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Plants” | By Shahram Sharafzadeh and Kourosh Ordookhani, Islamic Azad University |
| 3 | Reading “Climate Change Effects On Secondary Compounds Of forest In Trees In Northern Hemisphere” | By Jarmo K. Holopainen, Virpi Virjamo , Rajendra P. Ghimire , James D. Blande , Riitta Julkunen-Tiitto and Minna Kivimäenpää |
| 4 | Additional resources | Frontiers , intechopen.com |
| 5 | Additional Resources | Science Direct, by Akhileshwar Kumar Shrivastava, Pragyan Mishra and Amit Kumar Mishra 2021. |
