effects of cigarette smoke to photosynthesis
THE EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKE TO PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Increased Carbon Dioxide
Smoke of all kinds, including cigarette smoke, increases the amount of carbon dioxide where it is present (since smoke is itself produced via combustion). Plants use carbon dioxide to make sugars (during photosynthesis). Its increased abundance, therefore, makes it easier for the plant to obtain. Thus, smoking near a plant actually makes it easier for that plant to obtain much-needed carbon dioxide.
Hampering Photosynthesis
At the same time, however, cigarette smoke hampers the plant's ability to carry out photosynthesis itself. Over time, the particles from the cigarette smoke coat the surface of the leaf, stunting the photosynthesis process, which relies on the plant's ability to absorb sunlight from its leafy surfaces. Some plants have especially fuzzy leaves, however, and these are less affected by this slow coating.
Clogging Stomatal Pores
Aside from the smoke, the tar that cigarettes release into the air is particularly damaging to plants. This tar works to clog the stomatal pores of plants, located on the leaves. These pores are the gateway into which both carbon dioxide and oxygen are brought into the plant, the first for purposes of photosynthesis and the second for purposes of respiration. Cigarette smoke, therefore, is detrimental to the proper functioning of both these processes.
In theory, smoke could reduce photosynthesis through physical and/or chemical processes. Physically, smoke production can lead to high-vapor pressure deficits that can trigger stomatal closure [8]. Chemically, over 100 compounds have been identified in smoke [9]. Of those that have been identified, many are known to have physiologically effects on plants, including NO2 [10], CO2, SO2, and O3 [11]. O3 has been linked to the destruction of chlorophyll [12] and has also been shown to inhibit the K+ channels that regulate guard cell function and in turn controls stomatal opening [13]. SO2
Increased Carbon Dioxide
Smoke of all kinds, including cigarette smoke, increases the amount of carbon dioxide where it is present (since smoke is itself produced via combustion). Plants use carbon dioxide to make sugars (during photosynthesis). Its increased abundance, therefore, makes it easier for the plant to obtain. Thus, smoking near a plant actually makes it easier for that plant to obtain much-needed carbon dioxide.
Hampering Photosynthesis
At the same time, however, cigarette smoke hampers the plant's ability to carry out photosynthesis itself. Over time, the particles from the cigarette smoke coat the surface of the leaf, stunting the photosynthesis process, which relies on the plant's ability to absorb sunlight from its leafy surfaces. Some plants have especially fuzzy leaves, however, and these are less affected by this slow coating.
Clogging Stomatal Pores
Aside from the smoke, the tar that cigarettes release into the air is particularly damaging to plants. This tar works to clog the stomatal pores of plants, located on the leaves. These pores are the gateway into which both carbon dioxide and oxygen are brought into the plant, the first for purposes of photosynthesis and the second for purposes of respiration. Cigarette smoke, therefore, is detrimental to the proper functioning of both these processes.
In theory, smoke could reduce photosynthesis through physical and/or chemical processes. Physically, smoke production can lead to high-vapor pressure deficits that can trigger stomatal closure [8]. Chemically, over 100 compounds have been identified in smoke [9]. Of those that have been identified, many are known to have physiologically effects on plants, including NO2 [10], CO2, SO2, and O3 [11]. O3 has been linked to the destruction of chlorophyll [12] and has also been shown to inhibit the K+ channels that regulate guard cell function and in turn controls stomatal opening [13]. SO2