answersLogoWhite

0

Plant leaves have adapted in several ways to not just carry out but enhance photosynthesis in terms of Chemical composition, Shape, Numbers, Placement, Shedding etc. Let's take a brief look at each of these factors:

Composition

Virtually all plant leaves have Chlorophyll, which uses the energy from sunlight (electromagnetic radiation) to convert water (draw from the roots) and CO2 (from air) into starch and sugars.

Shape

Most plant leaves are flat shape and have a large surface area, which allows them to convert large amounts of water and CO2 into energy required for sustenance and growth

Numbers

Plants produce leaves in large numbers (relative to stem, branches and other parts). This, combined with their flat surface, improves the probability of a plant being able to conduct sufficient photosynthesis and thus be able to generate enough energy for survival

Placement

Plants leaves are designed to grow in minimally overlapping pattern such that each leaf has a higher likelihood of getting exposed to sunlight. Often plants won't even sprout in dense shade (or under other trees) and will actively change their shape to grow towards sunlight

Shedding

At higher latitudes (beyond tropics of Cancer or Capricorn), as winter begins setting in, sunlight available for photosynthesis gets severely reduced. Now, instead of being energy sources for a plant, the leaves only act as energy consumers and become a burden. So the leaves of deciduous plants are designed to fall off. Before they do, they produce the beautiful fall colors, which are a result of massive conversion from starch to sugar in the leaves, which causes the red/yellow/orange pigments in the leaves to become more prominent than green. The plants then go into low growth mode (like hibernation)

So you can see that plant leaves have adapted and optimized in several way to handle photosynthesis.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Biology

How do the flowes leaves and stems help plants meet their basic needs?

The flowers are the sexual organs. A basic need is to reproduce. The leaves make the food. The stems carry the food and water to every part of the plant that needs it much like our veins and arteries.


How do the flowers and leaves and stems help plants meet their basic needs?

The flowers are the sexual organs. A basic need is to reproduce. The leaves make the food. The stems carry the food and water to every part of the plant that needs it much like our veins and arteries.


How do the flowers leaves and stem help plants meet their basics needs?

The leaves help plants to conduct photosynthesis, where they produce food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. The stem provides support for the plant and helps transport water and nutrients from the roots to other parts of the plant. Flowers play a crucial role in reproduction by attracting pollinators and producing seeds for future generations.


What are some examples of food in the protein group that can help meet daily nutritional needs?

Some examples of foods in the protein group that can help meet daily nutritional needs include lean meats like chicken and turkey, fish, eggs, tofu, beans, and nuts.


How does photosynthesis help plants meet there basic needs?

Photosynthesis was invented by the algae about 2.4x109 years ago. It is the process by which H2O can be split into H2 and O2. The H2 can then be used by the plant to make more complex chemicals, organic compounds containing both H and O. Some examples sugar, starch, lignin and so on.

Related Questions

How do the flowers leaves and stem help plants meet their basic needs?

bahala ka nga


How do the flowers leaves and stems help plants meet their basics needs?

bahala ka nga


How do the flower leaves and stem help plants meet their basic needs?

bahala ka nga


How do the the flowers leaves and stem helps plants meet their basic needs?

bahala ka nga


How do the flowers leaves and help plants meet their basic needs?

The flowers are the sexual organs. A basic need is to reproduce. The leaves make the food. The stems carry the food and water to every part of the plant that needs it much like our veins and arteries.


How do the flowes leaves and stems help plants meet their basic needs?

The flowers are the sexual organs. A basic need is to reproduce. The leaves make the food. The stems carry the food and water to every part of the plant that needs it much like our veins and arteries.


How do the flower leaves and stems help plants meet their basic needs?

The flowers are the sexual organs. A basic need is to reproduce. The leaves make the food. The stems carry the food and water to every part of the plant that needs it much like our veins and arteries.


How do the flower leaves stems help plants meet their basic needs?

The flowers are the sexual organs. A basic need is to reproduce. The leaves make the food. The stems carry the food and water to every part of the plant that needs it much like our veins and arteries.


How the flowers leaves and stems help plants meet their basic needs?

The flowers are the sexual organs. A basic need is to reproduce. The leaves make the food. The stems carry the food and water to every part of the plant that needs it much like our veins and arteries.


How do the the flower leaves and stems help plants meet their basic needs?

The flowers are the sexual organs. A basic need is to reproduce. The leaves make the food. The stems carry the food and water to every part of the plant that needs it much like our veins and arteries.


How do the flowers leaves stem help meet the basic needs?

bahala ka nga


How do the flowers leaves and stem help plant meet their basic needs?

bahala ka nga