Signals from Sunlight and Tropism - 13 Flashcards
What 3 categories make up photoreceptors
- phytochromes
- cryptochromes
- phototropins
Define photoreceptors
receptor molecules that plants use to detect sunlight
What is the function of photoreceptors
they absorb photons of a given wavelength and use that energy as a signal to initiate a photoresponse
What do photoreceptors consist of
consist of a protein and a light absorbing pigment molecule called a chromophore
What photoreceptors are the most important
ones that absorb red and blue light
Define phytochromes
photoreceptors that absorb red and far-red light most strongly, but also blue and UVA radiation
What 3 main classes of photoreceptors mediate the effects of UV-A/blue light
- cryptochromes
- phototropins
- ZEITLUPE
(all use flavin molecules as chromophores)
What are action spectrum used to determine
they determine which wavelengths of light are necessary to bring a particular plant response
action spectrum are commonly compared to what
absorption spectrums because they show all the light absorbed while the action spectrum shows the light actually used to emit a response
What kind of light is seed germination stimulated by and is inhibited by
stimulated by red light and inhibited by far-red light
The action spectrum for blue light stimulates what responses and has what kind of peak characteristic
phototropism, stomal movements
three finger shape
what absorption spectrum is almost identical to the action spectrum of phototropism (orientation of plant in response to light)
phototropin
explain how phytochrome is photoreversible
phytochrome can exist in two forms and can be changed from one form to another by the influence of light and is responsible for both red and far-red activities
What does phytochrome interconvert between
Pr (inactive form using far-red light)
Pfr (active form using red light)
How can phytochrome be degraded
after photoconversion occurs into active form Pfr, it can be degraded by the ubiquitin pathway (molecules broken down into smaller molecules)
Explain what causes Pfr to slowly or rapidly convert back to Pr
slowly in the darkness
or rapidly converted back due to far-red light
where is red light abundant and where is far-red light abundant
red = direct sunlight
far-red = foliage canopies
What is the R:FR ratio and what is it used for
the ratio of red to far-red light that are used for plants growing under a canopy to regulate seed germination processes and shade avoidance
the ratio decreases as the canopy increases because of less red light
What are some examples of typical photoreversible responses that are induced by phytochrome
in a seed it promotes germination, in an etiolated seedling it promotes leaf unrolling
Explain how long red-light induced events are reversible for
can be reversible by removing pfr… for a limited period of time after which they reach a point of no return and proceeds irreversibly
What are the functions of phytochrome (A)
mediates responses to continuous far-red light, change membrane potentials, and regulate gene expression
what does phytochrome-induced photomorphogenesis involve
protein degradation
Define cryptochromes
photoreceptors that interact with phytochromes to regulate photomorphogenesis (light-mediated development)
What functions are phototropins involved in
light-dependent processes that optimize photosynthetic efficiency (directing organs, chloroplast, and nuclear movements, solar-tracking, and stomatal opening)