Sunlight is a crucial abiotic factor in the health of living organisms. Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have identified how plants maximize efficiency for capturing enough sunlight—but not too much—for photosynthesis.
photosynthesis
Plants use only some colors in the solar spectrum
Now that biologists at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill have discovered that plants can detect shadows, a fair follow-up question might ask: When sunlight is shining on the plant, just how much of the solar light spectrum do plants use in photosynthesis?
Plants & Shadows
Plants live in a world of constantly changing light. Researchers have identified that plants actually can detect shadows using a specific tool, which helps them maximize efficiency for capturing sunlight.
This 'smart plant' factor could lead to stronger crops
This 'smart plant' factor could lead to stronger crops
April 20, 2017
Plants may be smarter than we give them credit for. They do not have brains, and therefore do not think in the same way that humans and other animals do, but they have intricate systems in place that compute the best response to the challenges of daily life.
Tropism and Dormancy: Lesson Plan
Plants can move toward or away from a stimulus (tropism), or halt their growth completely (dormancy) when conditions are not ideal.
Healing Gardens: Lesson Plan
Learn about photosynthesis: the natural process that fuels the living world.
Oh Christmas Tree: Lesson Plan
Investigate the abiotic factors that support or limit the growth of plants in an ecosystem. Then learn about scientists who are studying what effect a warming climate will have on North Carolina’s $75 million tree industry, which ranks second in the country in Christmas tree sales.
Bees are Healthy Eaters
Bees are Healthy Eaters
May 25, 2016
File this under “animals are smarter than humans.” New research from NC State University shows that honeybees will, for the most part, neglect soda and other foods with processed sugars in favor of sugar from flowers.
Oh Christmas Tree
Scientists are studying what effect a warming climate will have on NC's $75M Christmas tree industry, which ranks second in the country in Christmas tree sales.