Real-Life Adaptations of Plants to Allow for Maximum Photosynthesis

Real- life adaptations of plants to allow for maximum photosynthesis
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Real- life adaptations of plants to allow for maximum photosynthesis
Introduction
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants uses sunlight energy to synthesize water and carbon dioxide into useful energy (food). For maximum photosynthesis, plants utilize availability of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. However, these requirements are not always sufficient and appropriate making plants find other ways of adaptations. This essay describes real-life adaptations by plants to maximize photosynthesis while withstanding extremes of quantity and quality of sunlight.
Adaptation of plants to insufficient quantity and quality of sunlight
Sunlight is pure energy. Plants convert sunlight energy into other useful forms of energy that can be stored for later use through photosynthesis. Sunlight energy converts water and carbon dioxide into sugars and other forms of food. Without sunlight, this process cannot take place. Excess sunlight is also harmful to photosynthetic tissue. Therefore, plants which grow in areas with varying intensities of sunlight have evolved their own adaptations for survival.
When there is an excess of sunlight, plants protect themselves by developing a thick, waxy cuticle and an epidermis. Some plants are adapted to excess sunlight by using chlorophyll and other pigments (Department of biological sciences, 2015). These pigments tend to absorb much of the sunlight before it reaches the photosynthetic spongy tissue. Some like bryophytes have only one leaf cell layer that they expose to the light since they lack the other adaptations (Department of biological sciences, 2015). This ensures only the required quantity of sunlight reaches the photosynthetic cells. Some plants have a folded-over leaf margin that surrounds the leaf lamellae.
When there is insufficient sunlight, plant adapt in a manner that will allow maximum absorption of the available sunlight. They develop larger and thinner leaves which have thinner cuticles (Chalker-Scott, 2012). The layer of hairs in the leaves is also reduced. This increases the surface area of the leaves hence making them to absorb maximum light. Other plants lack the filtering pigments and low chlorophyll in the top layers of their leaves. However, the lower layer of the leaf may contain anthocyanins, which reflect back the light energy that was not absorbed by the photosynthetic cells (Chalker-Scott, 2012).
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