GCSE Biology HELP!!!

@anonymous0518
Remember that sunlight is needed for photosynthesis, which provides the glucose for respiration. Respiration creates energy, which is used for the main life processes. Taking this into account, what do you think will happen to a clover plant that gets lots of sunlight compared to a clover plant that doesn't get much? (Assume that both plants are alive!)

Are you familiar with the term 'transect'?

The clover plant that gets lots of sunlight will have a lot more energy? I'm sorry, I'm not really good in biology.

Yes, I am supposed to be using the terms transect, quadrant etc. So the clovers that receive a lot of sunlight have more energy than the clovers in the shade?

It is correct that they will have more energy. The main point, however, is what they will use that extra energy for.

Think about MRS GREN. Which process do you think they will use the energy for?

Plants need light energy to carry out photosynthesis, what does that tell you about where a plant needs to be to maximise photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis? Respiration?

Photosynthesis does require energy, but that is taken from sunlight.

We've already established that the plants in more sunlight will photosynthesise more and consequently have more energy. How, then, do you think this will affect their size?

They will be a lot more larger.

They will be a lot more larger.

I'm sorry if i'm wrong but it's actually the other way round; plants in the shade have less light so they try to increase their surface area in order to get as much light as they possibly can to photosynthesise.

Therefore the plants that have more sunshine should be smaller and those in an area of shade should be bigger.

I'm sorry if i'm wrong but it's actually the other way round; plants in the shade have less light so they try to increase their surface area in order to get as much light as they possibly can to photosynthesise.

Therefore the plants that have more sunshine should be smaller and those in an area of shade should be bigger.

I'm sorry if i'm wrong but it's actually the other way round; plants in the shade have less light so they try to increase their surface area in order to get as much light as they possibly can to photosynthesise.

Therefore the plants that have more sunshine should be smaller and those in an area of shade should be bigger.

I agree it would be a waster of energy to grow bigger leaves when it is in the middle of a field. Plants in the shade do not get much light so they need a larger surface area to increase the chances of capturing sunlight to photosyntheise

If they are in a shaded area, without much sunlight, where do you think they're going to find that extra energy?

If you look up the effect of sunlight on plant growth you will find that a plant with more sunlight will grow faster. Some plants have adapted to have bigger leaves to maximise the amount of sunlight they can obtain, but this is not the same as the general growth of the plant increasing in proportion to the sunlight it receives.

"Sun leaves deal with more heat and drying wind in their exposed locations, but rapid photosynthesis and small chloroplasts allow for a smaller leaf. The smaller surface area protects against drying too. Shade leaves expand in size to collect as much light as possible. Their sheltered locations guard against water loss. Sun and shade leaves also differ in their tiny pore-like openings, usually concentrated on the protected undersides of the leaves. Known as stomata, these pores are smaller in sun leaves, but they compensate by being more dense. Shade-leaf stomata are larger and much fewer in number."

You are missing my point about general size. It is true that the leaves of a plant in a shaded position or area may have adapted to be bigger to get as much light as possible. However, the general size of a plant in the light will be bigger because it can photosynthesise more.

The thread starter is asking about the leaves though not the size of the plant in general.

Shade plants do indeed have larger leaves

You are missing my point about general size. It is true that the leaves of a plant in a shaded position or area may have adapted to be bigger to get as much light as possible. However, the general size of a plant in the light will be bigger because it can photosynthesise more.

"Sun leaves deal with more heat and drying wind in their exposed locations, but rapid photosynthesis and small chloroplasts allow for a smaller leaf. The smaller surface area protects against drying too. Shade leaves expand in size to collect as much light as possible. Their sheltered locations guard against water loss. Sun and shade leaves also differ in their tiny pore-like openings, usually concentrated on the protected undersides of the leaves. Known as stomata, these pores are smaller in sun leaves, but they compensate by being more dense. Shade-leaf stomata are larger and much fewer in number."