2.2.2 - tracing the development and movement of the products of photosynthesis (pgs. 143-144)
3D imaging
non-destructive
qualitative data
leaf health
digital photos taken at various parts & angles
photos are put together in a computer program to form 3D image
quantitative data
leaf size
Far-infrared imaging
Near-infrared imaging
longer wavelength
measures temperature
gradation of red colour
helps track salinity of plant & ability to cope
visible light
plants reflect infrared
shorter wavelength
plants reflect infrared
salt levels
study movement of water
see what's in soil (salt levels)
leaf temperature increases as salinity increases
study carbohydrate content in leaves
glucose
photosynthesis
Fluorescence imaging
shining blue light on plant -> causes plant to glow
measures movement of water
rate of photosynthesis
genetic impact
detected by: example
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
strong magnetic field & radiowaves
study structure, metabolism & physiological properties
no stress to plant
structure -> root system
non-destructive & can be don't on-sight
non-destructive
non-destructive
physiological properties -> a property having to do with the functioning
measurements made & external structure studied using image
3D images of root structures
application: grow plants in clear containers so roots can be studied by MRI
image can combine with images from PET or NT
greater detail & functional information about transport & processes
involve detection of radiation produced by radioisotope
PET: Positron Emission Tomography
NT: Neutron Tomography
X-ray computed microtomography
internal structure of plants
non-destructive
sample positioned in X-ray beam is rotated & hundreds of images from different angles recorded
images analysed & reconstructed into 3D computer-generated image
any angle observed & spatial arrangement of internal tissues studied
Photosynthesis process
radioactive tracer --> carbon-14
sunlight acts on chlorophyll to begin manufacturing organic compounds
isotopes
different forms of the same element
radioisotopes: emit radiation (radioactive)
emission of radioactive particles/waves measured by many methods
useful tracers
determined that water was source of oxygen gas released in photosynthesis
pathway of glucose produced in photosynthesis can be traced
computers convert information into 3D images
see where radioactively labelled chemicals are moving or stored in living organism
RRIS
Real-time Radioactive Imaging System
non-destructive
visualises movement of substances in phloem
PlanTIS
PET scanner for plants
traces radioisotope carbon-11 --> glucose molecule