Ecology – physiology
•Ecophysiology:
oDefinition: physiological responses of organisms to abiotic factors
•Life is built on a framework of Carbon atoms:
oThe ultimate source – CO2
oBy autotrophs
oPhotoautotrophs: uses sunlight to photosynthesize and produce CO2
•Carbon uptake differs for aquatic & terrestrial plants:
oCO2 diffuses into water and then into the leaf across the cell membrane
•Life depends on photosynthesis
oProducts of photosynthesis are allocated differently in response to environmental
conditions, i.e. diversity of evolutionary adaptations
oFocus on: Adaptations of different plants of different abiotic conditions that distributes
them
oIf there is very low active radiation, there will be very less CO2 uptake – therefore no net
photosynthesis
•Adaptations to the environment:
oLeaf size and shape influence heat exchange and temperature regulation
If there is a bit of wind, the heat , moisture and CO2 is given of in the atmosphere.
Wind is able to penetrate much more
Because there is a break in the leaf, the lobed leaf will dissipate more heat into
the atmosphere… The more lobed and compound the leaf is the more efficient is
the exchange
•Species of plants are adapted to different light
oShade plants have lower rate of saturation and photosynthesis due to less CO2 intake
•Phenotypic plasticity:
oAmong individuals of the same species grown in different light conditions
oAmong leaves on the same plant with different light exposures
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