Leaf Structural Properties that Influence Internal Light Regime and Photosynthetic Efficiency: Epidermal Lens Cells and Internal Leaf Anatomy

光合作用是植物将太阳能转化为光能的过程。 化学能 这个过程支持这个星球上的所有生命。 的in 深入了解光合作用是如何发生在叶子是必要的， 了解陆地植物对太阳能的转化。 Leaf项目 影响内部光照状态的结构特性， 光合效率：表皮透镜细胞和内部叶片 解剖学将研究叶片解剖学如何与光合作用有关， 整片叶子的表现。 一些当地的植物 选择具有独特解剖学特征的。 的目的 一项提议的研究是将独特的叶子 解剖学特征，光合器官的特化 各叶型内的光合性能和全叶光合性能。 一 重要的叶解剖学特征，将被检查的能力， 将光线聚焦在叶片内部， 透镜机构。 目前的研究表明，这些细胞可以 将光集中在入射水平以上6-20倍。 而且这 表皮透镜的作用似乎强烈影响光的收集， 叶绿体位于叶内。 显微镜检查，气体交换 测量和一种新的光纤微探针技术将用于 实现本项目的目标。 由此产生的信息 可以应用于与理解 植物生物多样性的生理基础，提高作物产量， 植物光合作用如何应对全球气候变化 通过增加二氧化碳浓度来调节。

Photosynthesis is the process whereby plants convert solar energy into chemical energy. This process supports all life on this planet. An in depth knowledge of how photosynthesis occurs in leaves is necessary for understanding solar energy conversion by land plants. The project Leaf structural properties that influence internal light regime and photosynthetic efficiency: Epidermal lens cells and internal leaf anatomy will examine how leaf anatomy is related to the photosynthetic performance of the whole leaf. Specific native plants have been selected that have unique anatomical features. The purpose of the proposed research is to make correlations between the unique leaf anatomical features, the specialization of the photosynthetic apparatus within each leaf type, and whole leaf photosynthetic performance. One important leaf anatomical character that will be examined is the ability of the leaf epidermal cells to focus light within the leaf interior via a lens mechanism. Current research has shown that these cells can concentrate light 6-20 times above incident levels. Moreover, this epidermal lens action appears to strongly affect light-harvesting by the chloroplasts located within the leaf. Microscopy, gas exchange measurements and a new fiber optic microprobe technique will be used to accomplish the objectives of this project. The resulting information may be applied to problems that relate to understanding the physiological basis for plant biodiversity, increasing crop yield, and how plants may respond photosynthetically to global climate change mediated by increased carbon dioxide concentrations.