Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
07:45
Using Changes in Leaf Transmission to Investigate Chloroplast Movement in Arabidopsis thaliana
Published on: July 14, 2021
2.7K
Leaf movement in Calathea lutea (Marantaceae).
Thomas J Herbert1, Parry B Larsen1
1Department of Biology, University of Miami, 33124, Coral Gables, Florida, USA.
Oecologia
|March 18, 2017
Summary
Calathea lutea exhibits complex leaf movements, primarily elevation, to reduce direct solar radiation interception. Leaf folding
Area of Science:
- Plant physiology
- Ecology
- Photosynthesis research
Background:
- Calathea lutea, a secondary successional plant, displays intricate leaf movements.
- These movements involve both leaf surface elevation and folding around the pulvinus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the leaf movements of Calathea lutea.
- To determine the impact of these movements on direct solar radiation interception.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of leaf elevation and folding angles were taken from early morning to noon.
- Calculations of the cosine of the angle of incidence were used to assess solar radiation interception.
Main Results:
- Mean leaf elevation increased from 34 to 70 degrees; leaf folding increased from 13 to 50 degrees.
- These movements significantly decreased the cosine of the angle of incidence, reducing direct solar radiation.
- Elevational changes were primarily responsible for reducing solar radiation exposure, while folding's role was unclear.
Conclusions:
- Leaf elevation in Calathea lutea is a key mechanism for regulating direct solar radiation.
- The functional significance of leaf folding in this species requires further investigation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:16Light Acquisition
9.7K
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.
9.7K
01:57Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
28.4K
Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.
28.4K
02:04Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
31.7K
During photosynthesis, plants acquire the necessary carbon dioxide and release the produced oxygen back into the atmosphere. Openings in the epidermis of plant leaves is the site of this exchange of gasses. A single opening is called a stoma—derived from the Greek word for “mouth.” Stomata open and close in response to a variety of environmental cues.
31.7K
01:27C4 Pathway and CAM
49.7K
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...
49.7K
02:03Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources
27.3K
The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.
27.3K
02:27Basic Plant Anatomy: Roots, Stems, and Leaves
65.3K
The primary organs of vascular plants are roots, stems, and leaves, but these structures can be highly variable, adapted for the specific needs and environment of different plant species.
65.3K