Details of LS4211 (Spring 2025)
| Level: 4 | Type: Theory | Credits: 4.0 |
| Course Code | Course Name | Instructor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| LS4211 | Chemical Ecology | Radhika Venkatesan |
| Syllabus |
|---|
| Syllabus
1. Role of chemistry in ecology: function and significance of natures chemicals in organismal interactions 2. Chemicals in plants: biosynthesis, mechanism, regulation and impact on herbivores 3. Chemical communication in organisms: specificity and chirality 4. Volatile chemical signaling, floral odor and plant odors in attracting/repelling insects 5. Trophic interactions and role of chemistry in long-distance signaling, evolution of chemical defence and communication 6. Basic insect biology, pheromone chemistry and adaptation mechanisms 7. Analytical methods: chromatographic separation techniques, extraction methods and analysis methods 8. General principles of mass spectrometry and sample collection techniques in chemical ecology. 9. GCMS and LCMS methods for organic molecule identification and quantification, derivatization methods. 10. Applications of chemical ecology 11. Field visit |
| Prerequisite |
|---|
| References:
Ecological Biochemistry, JB Harborne, Elsevier Publications. Chemical Ecology, Eds, T. Eisner & J. Meinwald, National Academy of Sciences. Analytical Chemistry, DA Skoog, DM West & FJ Holler, Harcourt Publishers. Bioanalytical Chemistry, Eds. A. Manz, PS Dittrich, et al, Imperial College Press. Plant Secondary Metabolism, DS Siegler, Kluwer Academic Publications. |
| References |
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Course Credit Options
| Sl. No. | Programme | Semester No | Course Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IP | 2 | Elective |
| 2 | IP | 4 | Elective |
| 3 | IP | 6 | Not Allowed |
| 4 | MP | 2 | Not Allowed |
| 5 | MP | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 6 | MR | 2 | Not Allowed |
| 7 | MR | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 8 | MS | 10 | Elective |
| 9 | MS | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 10 | MS | 6 | Not Allowed |
| 11 | MS | 8 | Elective |
| 12 | RS | 1 | Elective |
| 13 | RS | 2 | Elective |