Textbook Question
Consider a tree that is 50 m tall and is transpiring roughly 90 liters of water each day. Approximately how many calories will the tree use to transpire this quantity of water?
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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 12b
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?
What impact, if any, do you predict elevated CO₂ levels will have on the number of stomata in leaves and on the transpiration rate?
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 are crucial for photosynthesis as they let CO2 enter the leaf, but they also allow water vapor to escape, which is known as transpiration.
Consider the effect of elevated CO2 levels: With increased atmospheric CO2, plants can potentially absorb more CO2 for photosynthesis. This might lead to changes in the number of stomata as plants adapt to the new conditions.
Predict changes in stomatal density: Research suggests that elevated CO2 levels can lead to a decrease in stomatal density. This is because plants may not need as many stomata to absorb the necessary CO2, reducing water loss through transpiration.
Analyze the impact on transpiration rate: With fewer stomata, the rate of transpiration may decrease. This is beneficial for plants as it helps conserve water, especially in environments where water is limited.
Consider the overall plant response: Plants may exhibit a range of responses to elevated CO2, including changes in growth patterns, photosynthetic efficiency, and water use efficiency. These adaptations help plants optimize their survival and growth in changing environmental conditions.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, using carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen. Elevated CO2 levels can enhance photosynthesis, as more CO2 is available for the Calvin cycle, potentially increasing plant growth and productivity.
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05:58
Pigments of Photosynthesis
Stomata
Stomata are small openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange, including the intake of CO2 for photosynthesis and the release of oxygen. They also facilitate transpiration, the process of water vapor loss. Changes in CO2 levels can influence stomatal density and behavior, affecting both photosynthesis and transpiration rates.
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14:32Photorespiration
Transpiration
Transpiration is the process by which water evaporates from plant leaves through stomata, helping to cool the plant and drive nutrient uptake. Elevated CO2 levels may lead to reduced stomatal density, potentially decreasing transpiration rates, as plants optimize water use efficiency in response to increased CO2 availability.
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08:29Water Potential in Soil and Air
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Salt is used to melt snow and keep roads clear during the winter in many cities. Land adjacent to de-iced roads often ends up with a high concentration of salt in the soil. Explain why plants growing near salted roads may appear wilted in the spring.
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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?
Which of these structural features can help to limit water loss in plants that occupy dry habitats?
a. Abundant companion cells and sieve-tube elements
b. Stomata that are located in pits on the undersides of their leaves, or narrow, needlelike leaves c. extensive networks of xylem and phloem
d. Stomata that are located on the top surface of leaves, or broad leaves
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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? 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?
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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?
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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?
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