In many plants, it is possible to peel off the lower epidermis of a leaf without disturbing the photosynthetic mesophyll cells, thereby exposing the mesophyll directly to the air. What would you expect the immediate (seconds to minutes) response of photosynthesis to be? What would you expect the longer-term (minutes to hours) response of photosynthesis to be?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Immediately after peeling, photosynthesis would likely increase due to reduced resistance to CO2 diffusion into the leaf. Over the long term, the exposed mesophyll might dry out or become damaged, reducing photosynthesis.

In Many Plants, It Is Possible to Peel Off the Lower