The Effect of Stomata Essay Example
Does wind speed affect the opening of stomata?
I am exploring the effect of wind speeds in light and dark environments on transpiration. If the wind speed is high enough during the night time will this cause the opening of stomata and transpiration, even though it is against the plants bioloical clock to do so?
I've got 3 different wind speeds on the fan and I'm keeping the temperature constant in both light/dark environments.
Wind speed does not normally cause stomata to open. Indeed, high wind speed may cause stomata to close a) because of the high rate of transpiration leading to water stress but also b) (when photosynthesis rate is high) gentle breeze can bring more CO2 close to the stomata, increasing the diffusion of CO2 into the leaf, causing guard cells to become less turgid.
Stomates will normally be closed in the dark. Granted, there may be a tendency for the stomata to be open if you are doing the experiment during daylight hours and the plants have not had a chance to reset their biological clock. On the other hand, I would expect the biological clock mechanism to be over-ruled by the other environmental conditions you are imposing on the plants which (I guess) will have a stronger effect on the stomatal aperture than the diurnal rhythm. Opening of stomata at sunrise generally requires about an hour and closing is often gradual throughout the afternoon. Stomates close faster if plants are suddenly exposed to darkness. The minimum light level for opening of stomates in most plants is about 1/1000 to 1/30 of full sunlight - just enough to cause some net photosynthesis. Higher irradiance levels cause wider stomatal apertures.
This should be an interesting series of experiments. Will you measure the leaf area and quote your results in terms of g water/mm2 of leaf? How long will you need to wait after you have changed the conditions before making your critical measurements (an hour?) Will your kale be planted in soil, or will you be removing a
I am exploring the effect of wind speeds in light and dark environments on transpiration. If the wind speed is high enough during the night time will this cause the opening of stomata and transpiration, even though it is against the plants bioloical clock to do so?
I've got 3 different wind speeds on the fan and I'm keeping the temperature constant in both light/dark environments.
Wind speed does not normally cause stomata to open. Indeed, high wind speed may cause stomata to close a) because of the high rate of transpiration leading to water stress but also b) (when photosynthesis rate is high) gentle breeze can bring more CO2 close to the stomata, increasing the diffusion of CO2 into the leaf, causing guard cells to become less turgid.
Stomates will normally be closed in the dark. Granted, there may be a tendency for the stomata to be open if you are doing the experiment during daylight hours and the plants have not had a chance to reset their biological clock. On the other hand, I would expect the biological clock mechanism to be over-ruled by the other environmental conditions you are imposing on the plants which (I guess) will have a stronger effect on the stomatal aperture than the diurnal rhythm. Opening of stomata at sunrise generally requires about an hour and closing is often gradual throughout the afternoon. Stomates close faster if plants are suddenly exposed to darkness. The minimum light level for opening of stomates in most plants is about 1/1000 to 1/30 of full sunlight - just enough to cause some net photosynthesis. Higher irradiance levels cause wider stomatal apertures.
This should be an interesting series of experiments. Will you measure the leaf area and quote your results in terms of g water/mm2 of leaf? How long will you need to wait after you have changed the conditions before making your critical measurements (an hour?) Will your kale be planted in soil, or will you be removing a