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Do epidermal lens cells facilitate the absorptance of diffuse light?
Craig R Brodersen1, Thomas C Vogelmann
1University of Vermont, Department of Plant Biology, 120 Marsh Life Science, Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA.
American Journal of Botany
|June 4, 2011
Summary
Lens-shaped epidermal cells do not enhance diffuse light absorption in understory plants. Leaf structure and thickness are more critical for light capture than epidermal cell shape.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Photosynthesis research
- Leaf optics
Background:
- Understory plants utilize diffuse light due to canopy scattering.
- A knowledge gap exists regarding direct vs. diffuse light interactions with leaves.
- Lens-shaped epidermal cells are hypothesized to improve diffuse light absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of epidermal cell shape in capturing direct and diffuse light.
- To compare light absorption, transmission, and reflectance in leaves with different epidermal cell structures.
Main Methods:
- Leaf reflectance and transmittance were measured using an integrating sphere system.
- Species with flat and lens-shaped epidermal cells were analyzed.
- Light absorption was calculated based on reflectance and transmittance.
Main Results:
- All examined leaves absorbed more light under direct than diffuse irradiation.
- Diffuse light led to higher transmission and reflection, reducing absorptance by 2-3%.
- Lens-shaped epidermal cells did not show an advantage in capturing diffuse light.
Conclusions:
- Epidermal cell shape does not significantly aid in the capture of diffuse light.
- Palisade and mesophyll cell anatomy and leaf thickness are more influential factors in light capture and absorption.
- Current understanding of epidermal cell function in light capture needs revision.
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