Question

How does diffusion of gases take place in submerged plants

Answer 1

Dear student,
The significant challenge for the submerged plants is 10⁴-fold lower diffusion coefficient of gases in water, compared with air that results in the adaptive feature in aquatic leaves and macroalgal thalli to reduce the influence of diffusive boundary layers on the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
The submerged plant usually lack waxy coating that makes easier to absorb carbon dioxide present in water. The leaves of the submerged plant also increase their surface to volume ratio. The submerged plant can also use bicarbonate to obtain carbon dioxide either by direct uptake into the cells or external conversion to CO₂.


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