Atmospheric CO₂ has been increasing rapidly since the late 1800s, largely due to human activities. Recall that CO₂ enters leaves through stomata and can then be used for photosynthesis. However, transpiration occurs as a result of water evaporating through stomata. How have plants responded to elevated CO₂ levels? The amount of water that evaporates from stomata over a period of time is referred to as stomatal conductance, which is determined largely by the number of stomata in a given area of leaf surface. Researchers obtained specimens from preserved collections and measured stomatal conductance in leaves from oak trees and pine trees that grew at various times under different CO₂ levels. The data are shown in the following graph. In general, is the maximum stomatal conductance rate in plants more or less than it was a century ago?
Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants
Freeman8th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9780138276263
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life13
- Ch. 2 - Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life14
- Ch.3 - Protein Structure and Function10
- Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World10
- Ch. 5 - An Introduction to Carbohydrates10
- Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells11
- Ch. 7 - Inside the Cell10
- Ch. 8 - Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism10
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation11
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis12
- Ch. 11 - Cell-Cell Interactions12
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle8
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis12
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene23
- Ch. 15 - DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair15
- Ch. 16 - How Genes Work16
- Ch. 17 - Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation16
- Ch. 18 - Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria16
- Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes12
- Ch. 20 - The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology, Genomics, and New Frontiers15
- Ch. 21 - Genes, Development, and Evolution12
- Ch. 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection16
- Ch. 23 - Evolutionary Processes13
- Ch. 24 - Speciation15
- Ch. 25 - Phylogenies and the History of Life13
- Ch. 26 - Bacteria and Archaea15
- Ch. 27 - Diversification of Eukaryotes16
- Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants16
- Ch. 29 - Fungi18
- Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals9
- Ch. 31 - Protostome Animals15
- Ch. 32 - Deuterostome Animals17
- Ch. 33 - Viruses16
- Ch. 34 - Plant Form and Function16
- Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants16
- Ch. 36 - Plant Nutrition13
- Ch. 37 - Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses16
- Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 39 - Animal Form and Function17
- Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals16
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition16
- Ch. 42 - Gas Exchange and Circulation16
- Ch. 43 - Animal Nervous Systems16
- Ch. 44 - Animal Sensory Systems16
- Ch. 45 - Animal Movement11
- Ch. 46 - Chemical Signals in Animals16
- Ch. 47 - Animal Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals16
- Ch. 49 - An Introduction to Ecology15
- Ch. 50 - Behavioral Ecology16
- Ch. 51 - Population Ecology16
- Ch. 52 - Community Ecology20
- Ch. 53 - Ecosystems and Global Ecology17
- Ch. 54 - Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology18
Chapter 35, Problem 16f
Atmospheric CO₂ has been increasing rapidly since the late 1800s, largely due to human activities. Recall that CO₂ enters leaves through stomata and can then be used for photosynthesis. However, transpiration occurs as a result of water evaporating through stomata.
How have plants responded to elevated CO₂ levels?
Assuming that the CO₂ level continues to increase with time, how likely are plants to be able to continue to adapt by adjusting stomatal conductance?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of stomata: Stomata are small openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange. They play a crucial role in photosynthesis by letting CO2 enter the leaf, and in transpiration by allowing water vapor to escape.
Consider the impact of elevated CO2 levels: With increased atmospheric CO2, plants can potentially increase photosynthesis efficiency. However, this also affects stomatal conductance, which is the rate at which gases pass through the stomata.
Analyze plant adaptation strategies: Plants may respond to elevated CO2 by adjusting stomatal density (number of stomata per unit area) or stomatal aperture (opening size). This can help balance the need for CO2 uptake with minimizing water loss through transpiration.
Evaluate the potential for continued adaptation: Consider the genetic and physiological limits of plants to adjust stomatal conductance. Some species may have more flexibility in their response due to genetic diversity or evolutionary adaptations.
Assess the long-term implications: As CO2 levels continue to rise, the ability of plants to adapt may depend on factors such as species-specific traits, environmental conditions, and the rate of CO2 increase. This could influence plant survival and ecosystem dynamics.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Stomatal Conductance
Stomatal conductance refers to the rate at which CO2 enters and water vapor exits through the stomata of plant leaves. It is a critical factor in photosynthesis and transpiration, balancing the need for CO2 uptake with water loss. Plants can adjust stomatal conductance in response to environmental changes, such as elevated CO2 levels, to optimize their physiological processes.
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Myelin and Saltatory Conduction
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, using CO2 and water to produce glucose and oxygen. Elevated CO2 levels can enhance photosynthesis by providing more substrate for the Calvin cycle, potentially increasing plant growth and productivity. However, this response can be limited by other factors such as nutrient availability and water stress.
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05:58Pigments of Photosynthesis
Transpiration
Transpiration is the process of water vapor loss from plant leaves through stomata, driven by evaporation. It plays a crucial role in nutrient transport and temperature regulation within plants. Elevated CO2 levels can lead to reduced stomatal opening, decreasing transpiration rates, which may affect plant water use efficiency and overall health, especially under changing climate conditions.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Textbook Question
Atmospheric CO₂ has been increasing rapidly since the late 1800s, largely due to human activities. Recall that CO₂ enters leaves through stomata and can then be used for photosynthesis. However, transpiration occurs as a result of water evaporating through stomata.
How have plants responded to elevated CO₂ levels?
One prediction of global climate change is that there will be an increase in periods of drought in some regions. Given the data just presented, will plants be more or less likely to survive periods of drought as they are exposed to rising CO₂ levels?
Textbook Question
Atmospheric CO₂ has been increasing rapidly since the late 1800s, largely due to human activities. Recall that CO₂ enters leaves through stomata and can then be used for photosynthesis.
However, transpiration occurs as a result of water evaporating through stomata.
How have plants responded to elevated CO₂ levels? In the year 1915, the stomatal conductance of oak was approximately how many times higher than that of pine?
How about in the year 2010?