Chapter 6: Problem 13

How could increased leaf longevity (longer-lived leaves) function as an adaptation to low-nutrient environments?

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Answer: Increased leaf longevity can be an adaptation to low-nutrient environments by conserving essential nutrients, improving photosynthetic efficiency, focusing energy on root growth and nutrient uptake, and balancing the trade-off between rapid growth and resource conservation in plants.

Step by step solution

Define what is meant by leaf longevity and low-nutrient environments

Leaf longevity refers to the duration of time that a leaf remains on a plant and continues to photosynthesize. Low-nutrient environments are conditions in which essential nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are in short supply for plant growth and development.

Explain the relationship between leaf longevity and nutrient conservation

In low-nutrient environments, it is crucial for plants to conserve essential nutrients. Longer-lived leaves could help plants conserve nutrients because: 1. Less frequent leaf production and shedding allows the plants to allocate more resources to their roots, which could help them better explore the soil for nutrients and increase nutrient uptake. 2. Longer-lived leaves could continue to photosynthesize for an extended period, and thus continue to produce carbohydrates and other essential compounds needed for plant growth, even in low nutrient conditions. This would reduce the resources required to continually reproduce new leaves.

Discuss how leaf longevity could improve photosynthetic efficiency

Longer-lived leaves could also improve photosynthetic efficiency in plants. As leaves age, they typically lose chlorophyll and the capacity to photosynthesize. However, some plants adapted to low-nutrient environments can maintain their photosynthetic abilities in their leaves for a longer time. This means these plants can generate energy from sunlight more efficiently, which can be particularly beneficial in environments where nutrients are scarce and the growth rate is relatively slow.

Explain the trade-off of leaf longevity vs. rapid growth

A trade-off exists between leaf longevity and rapid growth. In nutrient-rich environments, plants can grow quickly and produce many short-lived leaves to capture as much light and carbon dioxide as possible. However, in low-nutrient environments, rapid growth isn't feasible due to the lack of resources. Therefore, plants may adapt by producing fewer, longer-lived leaves that allow them to conserve resources and capitalize on the limited nutrient availability.

Summarize the advantages of increased leaf longevity in low-nutrient environments

In conclusion, increased leaf longevity can function as an adaptation to low-nutrient environments by: 1. Conserving essential nutrients in the plant, 2. Improving photosynthetic efficiency, 3. Focusing energy on root growth and nutrient uptake, 4. Balancing the trade-off between rapid growth and resource conservation.

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How could increased leaf longevity (longer-lived leaves) function as an adaptation to low-nutrient environments?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define what is meant by leaf longevity and low-nutrient environments

Explain the relationship between leaf longevity and nutrient conservation

Discuss how leaf longevity could improve photosynthetic efficiency

Explain the trade-off of leaf longevity vs. rapid growth

Summarize the advantages of increased leaf longevity in low-nutrient environments

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