BIO120H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Exploding Animal, Prosopis, Succulent Plant
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BIO120H1 Full Course Notes
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Lecture 17 physiological ecology of plants: more tradeoffs. Stresses on plants are especially challenging because plants can"t evade by moving. Plants solve problems by growth and development, not behaviour, so carbon balance is central. Tradeoffs on photosynthesis: compromises involving 3 necessities: light, temperature, water. Keeping cool while conserving water: sonoran desert, arizona. Find vegetation that looks quite different from the maple leaf. Photosynthetic bark on trunks & branches; can grow without incurring heat load & water loss through leaves. Modified to thorns to protect plants against animals that want to get a cactus pad or stem full of water (succulent) Growing in a greenhouse gets enough water through shallow roots in a small pot that absorbs the water as soon as it comes down. In a desert the extensive root system may not be as affective. Most plants do no have a root system that extends beyond the crown of the plant.
