Need a botanist... photosynthesis *=*

[Merman]

So I've got a head full of AK-48 and I get thinking about photosynthesis.... What I find out is that I really don't know jack about it.

I figure the basics are that as animals eat food to convert into energy for cell metabolism, so goes the plant world with photosynthesis.

"Photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy by living organisms. The raw materials are carbon dioxide and water, the energy source is sunlight, and the end-products include glucose and oxygen. It is arguably the most important biochemical pathway,[1] since nearly all life depends on it."

Here's the wiki link: Wiki: photosynthesis

After reading through this a bit, I start wondering about the hypothesis /experience that increased light exposure to buds improves quality and possibly yield.

How effective are the flowers of a plant at photosynthesis...? My guess is the leaves do a better job. I can definitely see that in late flower, more light exposure may 'ripen' a bud like fruit on tree, but in early to mid flower, maybe there is no real benefit (and possibly no real problem) for removing leaf material that are shading bud sites.

Anyway, you all have a great Wednesday noc!

 

[Guest]

Your reasoning is nicely correct, sir. Must be good AK-48.
Leaves are the photo-panels of the plant as well as a nutrient storage.

W.

 

[Sammet]

Ask for a botanist and ye shall receive.

http://www.actahort.org/books/436/436_38.htm

A summary of the abstract:

"Persimmon fruit possesses relatively large calyx lobes compared with other fruits. Unlike fruit skin, persimmon calyx lobes have many stomata on their surface and retain chlorophyll until harvest. So, photosynthesis by calyx lobes may have some contribution to fruit development.

.....covering calyx lobes with aluminum foil on the tree had no significant effect on fruit set and fruit growth, despite a remarkable decline in fruit photosynthesis. These results indicate that photosynthesis by calyx lobes has no contribution to early fruit development."

Just some research I found but due to cannabis research being mainly on issues pertaining to humans I had to improvise. There's no reason why the investigation above cannot be applied to any fruit bearing plants. I've added a photo so you can see the calyxes referred to in the journal.

Basically, Calyxes will contain Chlorophyll and stomata (essential for gaseous exchange) but the amount of photosynthesis would be small due to a smaller surface area compared to a leaf. Rate of photosynthesis is affected by temperature, CO2 levels and Light intensity, all of which are most efficiently utilised by the structure of a leaf.

Any questions about the details of photosynthesis (electron chain reaction, krebs cycle, Chlorophyll a+b etc) feel free to ask

 

[Sammet]

There's quite a lot of info there so here's the short version of my post above.

Whilst photosynthesis does occur within a calyx, it is incomparable with that of a leaf. Cutting leaves away so that the calyxes recieve more light is not beneficial.

Leaves = plant power

 

[Guest]

Leaves = plant power plant

 

[Pornstar]

If your interested Zandor did a podcast about this very subject this week http://dopecast.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=283518

 

[Sammet]

If your interested Zandor did a podcast about this very subject this week http://dopecast.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=283518

Interesting link - I just listened to the podcast, some good info there but I'm not sure I agree with some of the phrasing, probably due to the unscientific presentation of a scientific subject. Still good stuff though for any novice looking to learn more

 

[FunkBomb]

One thing I find myself thinking about is how efficient are leaves at photosynthesizing available light?

For instance, what % of light/gamma/x-ray, etc that hit the leaf surface get used? What % go unused or reflected?

-Funk

 

[Merman]

You guys rock! This is exactly the kind of discussion I would like to see more of on IC (i.e. no more garbage links to youtube videos or 'what's yer favorite strain' questions).

Thanks a lot!

 

[CamEleven]

Hey Funk just found some stuff that might answer your questions:

Chlorophyll is vital for photosynthesis, which allows plants to obtain energy from light. Chlorophyll molecules are specifically arranged in and around pigment protein complexes called photosystems which are embedded in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. In these complexes, chlorophyll serves two primary functions. The function of the vast majority of chlorophyll (up to several hundred per photosystem) is to absorb light and transfer that light energy by resonance energy transfer to a specific chlorophyll pair in the reaction center of the photosystems. Because of chlorophyll’s selectivity regarding the wavelength of light it absorbs, areas of a leaf containing the molecule will appear green. There are currently two accepted photosystem units, Photosystem II and Photosystem I, which have their own distinct reaction center chlorophylls, named P680 and P700, respectively.[2] These pigments are named after the wavelength (in nanometers) of their red-peak absorption maximum. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophyll>

I dont think gamma, UV, X-Ray, etc. are important in photosynthesis because the chlorophyll photosystems can only use light that is 680 and 700 nm's and X-Ray(about 1 nm) and UV(10-100 nm) have much different wavelengths. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_spectrum#Visible_radiation_.28light.29>