Question

Exploin how the overal morphology of an oak tree is related to Meximizing Photo san thetic efficiency at all levels of organization.

Answer 1

Photosynthesis is under the influenc eof several internal factors. The different morphological features of an oak tree affecting the rate of photosynthesis are- (a) Number, size, age and orientation of leaves (b) Chlorophyll, (c) Mesophyll cells, (d) CO2 concentration.

(a) Oak leaves are spirally coiled and has 5-6 lobes, larger the surface area of a leaf the amount of sunlight trapped will be higher which in turn the rate of photosynthesis.The number and size of leaves are more or less uniform in oak affecting the rate of photosynthesis. Oak tree can survive for a good period of time, so the age of the leaves is crucial in determining photosynthesis. The leaves orientation of oak tree is unique in the sense that they are clustered in a peculiar way so that optimum sunlight is received.

(b) Chlorophyll is the most important factor affecting photosynthetic rate. The leaves of oak tree is green in color which possess chlorophyll. Rate of photosynthesis is directly proportional to the content of chlorophyll of a leaf.

(c) Mesophyll cells is well differentiated in an oak tree having chloroplasts helping in photosynthesis.

(d) Internal CO2 concentration due to improper closing of stomata may result in its accumulation which in turn decrease the photosybthesis.