Related Concept Videos
02:16Light Acquisition
In order to produce glucose, plants need to capture sufficient light energy. Many modern plants have evolved leaves specialized for light acquisition. Leaves can be only millimeters in width or tens of meters wide, depending on the environment. Due to competition for sunlight, evolution has driven the evolution of increasingly larger leaves and taller plants, to avoid shading by their neighbors with contaminant elaboration of root architecture and mechanisms to transport water and nutrients.
02:00Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light
Light plays a significant role in regulating the growth and development of plants. In addition to providing energy for photosynthesis, light provides other important cues to regulate a range of developmental and physiological responses in plants.
01:27C4 Pathway and CAM
Most plants use the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. However, some plants, such as sugar cane, corn, and cacti that grow in hot conditions, use alternative pathways to fix carbon and conserve energy loss due to photorespiration. Photorespiration is the process that occurs when the oxygen concentration is high. Under such conditions, the rubisco enzyme in the Calvin cycle binds O2 instead of CO2, which halts photosynthesis and consumes energy.
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
02:45Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses
The circadian—or biological—clock is an intrinsic, timekeeping, molecular mechanism that allows plants to coordinate physiological activities over 24-hour cycles called circadian rhythms. Photoperiodism is a collective term for the biological responses of plants to variations in the relative lengths of dark and light periods. The period of light-exposure is called the photoperiod.
02:40Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the biosynthesis of the...
02:12Short-distance Transport of Resources
Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.
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The energy balance of leaves of the evergreen desert shrub Atriplex hymenelytra.
Oecologia·2017
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
07:08
Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus
Published on: January 30, 2020
Summary
Many plant species exhibit diurnal leaf movements, tracking the sun to optimize photosynthesis or reduce water loss. This solar tracking behavior is common in desert annuals, especially with shorter growing seasons.
Area of Science:
- Plant physiology
- Ecology
- Photosynthesis
Background:
- Many plant species exhibit diurnal leaf movements.
- Leaves orient perpendicular or parallel to the sun's rays.
- This phenomenon is observed in both C(3) and C(4) plants across diverse families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenomenon of diurnal leaf movement in plants.
- To understand the ecological significance of solar tracking in desert annuals.
- To correlate leaf orientation with photosynthetic rates and water loss.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies on plant leaf movements.
- Analysis of diurnal changes in leaf orientation.
- Correlation of leaf position with environmental factors and physiological responses.
Main Results:
- Diurnal leaf movement, or solar tracking, is widespread in plants.
- In desert annuals, solar tracking increases with shorter growing seasons.
- Leaves oriented perpendicular to the sun show higher photosynthetic rates.
- Leaves oriented parallel to the sun exhibit reduced temperatures and water loss.
Conclusions:
- Diurnal leaf movement is a key adaptation for optimizing plant performance in varying environments.
- Solar tracking balances photosynthetic gains with water conservation needs.
- This behavior is crucial for survival and reproduction, particularly in arid ecosystems.