2020 Faculty Courses School of Life Science and Technology Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
Photosynthesis and photobiology
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
- Instructor(s)
- Shinji Masuda / Toru Hisabori / Kan Tanaka / Mie Shimojima
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Tue (H136) / 3-4 Fri (H136)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LST.A361
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course focuses on basics for photosynthesis and photochemistry and related physical, chemical and biological subjects. Specifically, environmental sensing mechanisms of photosynthetic organisms, such as plant and algae, will be studied. The course enables students to understand how photosynthesis was established and arranged during the course of evolution of the earth and life.
The topics will include energy conversion mechanisms by photosynthesis, evolution of photosynthesis and photosynthetic organisms, molecular structure of photosynthetic apparatus, structure of plant cells and photosynthetic membranes, and regulation of photosynthesis. Students will experience how photosynthesis is important on the life on the earth.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) To explain how photosynthesis sustains life on the earth
2) To explain the molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis
3) To explain how photosynthesis is regulated depend on environmental changes
4) To explain how photosynthesis is established.
5) To comment on the current progresses in artificial photosynthesis
Keywords
Photosynthesis, Photobiology, Spectroscopy, Biophysics, Electron transfer, Cell energetics, Protein complexes, Artificial photosynthesis
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course will be organized by four lecturers.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | What is photosynthesis (Masuda) | Understanding of basics on photosynthesis |
| Class 2 | History of photosynthesis research（Hisabori) | Understanding of the historical aspects on photosynthesis research |
| Class 3 | Structure of photosynthetic cells (Tanaka) | Understand cells structure for performing photosynthesis |
| Class 4 | Photosynthetic light reaction 1 (Hisabori) | Understand function of photosynthetic apparatus |
| Class 5 | Photosynthetic light reaction 2 (Hisabori) | Understand mechanism of carbon fixation |
| Class 6 | Regulation of ATP synthesis and chloroplast movement (Hisabori) | Understand mechanisms of redox regulation of photosynthesis |
| Class 7 | Properties of photopigments required for photosynthesis (Masuda) | Understand molecular properties of pigments used for photosynthesis |
| Class 8 | Photosynthetic assimilatory reaction (Tanaka) | Understand mechanism of carbon fixation |
| Class 9 | Regulation of photosynthetic assimilatory reaction (Tanaka) | Understand mechanisms for nitrogen-related regulation |
| Class 10 | Regulation of photosynthetic gene expression (Tanaka) | Understand regulatory system for controlling gene expression and chloroplast development |
| Class 11 | Regulation of photosynthetic light reaction in plants (Masuda) | Understand mechanisms of non-photochemical quenching and state transition |
| Class 12 | Evolution of photosynthesis (Masuda) | Understand mechanisms of bacterial photosynthesis, and evolution of photosynthesis |
| Class 13 | Regulation of chloroplast function (Shimojima) | Regulation of plastidial protein, lipid and pigment synthesis |
| Class 14 | Bioenergy and artificial photosynthesis (Shimojima) | Understand current progresses in artificial photosynthesis |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Phosynthesis Education Team, The University of Tokyo; ISBN978-4-13-062214-1. (Japanese)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Kimiyuki Sato (ed): Photosynthesis. Asakura-Shoten; ISBN 4-254-17657-0 C 3345. (Japanese) Will be announced None
Robert E. Blankenship: Evaluation methods and criteria
Related courses
Prerequisites