Plant Energetics (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Plant Energetics 4
Copyright Page 5
Contents 6
Preface 12
Introduction 14
Chapter 1. Light 20
The Source 20
Radiation 22
The Spectral Distribution of Photons and Energy in Black-Body Radiation 29
Directional and Diffuse Radiation 32
Temperature and Entropy of Radiation 33
Sun and Other Sources of Radiation 37
Factors Determining the Scattering and Absorption of Light 40
Selective Absorption by Gaseous Constituents of the Atmosphere 41
Chapter 2. Fluxes of Solar Radiation and Absorption of Light by Plants 44
Introduction 44
Astronomical Factors 46
Influence of Orientation of the Light-Absorbing Elements 47
Propagation of Light in the Atmosphere 49
Light Scattering by a Cloudy Layer 54
Incidence of Solar Energy on a Plant 56
Qualitative Characteristics of Incident Light 59
The Inherent Thermal Radiation of Plants 61
The Capture of Light Energy by Leaves and Complex Foliar Systems 62
Chapter 3. Arrangement of Energy Relations in Plants 68
Introduction 68
Structure of Energy Processes in Plants 69
The Plant as an Open System 74
Plants and Animals: Comparative Energetics 75
Auxiliary Source of Energy: Water Chemical Potential Difference 79
The Role of Geometric Factors 80
Conversion of Solar Radiation: Quantum and Thermophysical Methods 85
Technological Problems 87
Fixation of Nitrogen 90
Chapter 4. Problems of Integration and Hierarchy of Structures 92
Introduction 92
Hierarchy of Structures 95
Hierarchy of Processes 97
Hierarchy of Time 99
Hierarchy of Cycles 101
Harvesting Energy 108
Chapter 5. Thermodynamics of Energy Conversion by Plants 116
Introduction 116
Basics of Thermodynamics 116
Conversion of Heat into Work 120
Thermophysical Conversion of Radiant Energy 123
Quantum Mode of Transformation of Radiant Energy 126
The Efficiency of Photosynthesis 133
Conversion of Chemical Energy 135
Energy Coupling of Chemical Processes 141
Chapter 6. Electrochemistry and the Processes of Energy Conversion in Plants 146
Introduction 146
Electrochemistry in Engineering and Biology 149
Thermodynamics of Electrochemical Systems 150
Biological Redox Systems 152
Arrangement of the Electrochemical Processes 158
Coupling of Electron Flow with the Synthesis of ATP 161
Is the Notion of Redox Potential Applicable to Small Systems? 164
Chapter 7. Photochemistry of Photosynthesis and Mechanisms of Oxygen Evolution 168
Introduction 168
Structure and Composition of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex in Vivo 170
Thermodynamics of Water Oxidation 177
Utilization of Protons upon Oxygen Evolution 181
Kinetic Aspects of Multielectron Reactions 182
Possible Molecular Mechanisms of Oxygen Evolution 185
Architectonics of the Reaction Center and Electron Pathways of Photosynthesis 189
Role of Manganese in Photosynthesis 189
Chapter 8. Energetics of Dark Respiration and Mechanism of Cytochrome Oxidase Functioning 192
Introduction 192
Reaction Center Architectonics 196
The Bridge Electron Transfer Mechanism 196
Activation Energy and Mechanism of Dioxygen Reduction 197
Proton Pump 198
Chapter 9. Plants and the Atmosphere: Heat and Moisture Exchange 200
Introduction 200
Graphical Representation: The Motive Forces 202
Obstacles on Pathways 207
Flows 211
Material and Energy Balance of a Plant 213
Work of Transpiration 222
Chapter 10. Energetics of Permeation of Molecules and Ions across Membranes 226
Introduction 226
Partition Model 230
Hydrophobic Effect 237
Image Forces 239
Dipole Potential 241
Dipole Resolvation 244
Transient Pore Mechanisms of Passive Transport across Lipid Bilayers 248
Partitioning and/or Transient Pores: A Critical Test 251
Conclusions 255
Chapter 11. Transpiration Stream 256
Introduction 256
Hydrostatics of Xylem 258
The Cavitation Phenomenon 262
Hydrodynamics of Xylem 263
Mechanism of Root Water Transport 265
Possible Role of Electro-Osmotic Phenomena in Water Transport in Roots 269
The Mechanism of Action of the Upper Pump 270
Is the Upper Pump the Capillary or Matrix Pump? 277
Some Features of the Phloem Transport 278
Chapter 12. Entropy Balance of the Plant 280
Introduction 280
Entropy Influx 281
Entropy Outflux 282
Generation of Entropy 283
Dissipation of Energy in the Primary Stages of Light Harvesting 284
Photosynthesis 284
Suction of Water and Xylem Transport 285
Generation of Entropy by Phloem Transport 286
Mineral Nutrition 287
Structure Formation 287
Adjustment Processes 288
Entropy Balance 289
What Follows from the Balance of Entropy? 290
Chapter 13. Electrical Signals and Long-Distance Communication in Plants 292
Introduction 292
Electrochemical Circuits, Chains, and Electrodes 299
Measurement of Action and Resting Potentials in Plants 301
Action and Resting Potentials in Potato Plants(Solanum tuberosum L.) 303
Insect-Induced Bioelectrochemical Signals in Potato Plants 306
Chapter 14. Artificial Photosynthesis in Organized Assemblies of Photosynthetic Pigments 312
Introduction 312
Artificial Photosynthesis at Liquid Interfaces 314
Photosynthetic Reaction Centers at the Oil–Water Interface 315
P745: Hydrated Oligomer of Chlorophyll A at the Oil–Water Interface 318
Artificial Photorespiration: Oxygen Photoreduction by Monolayers of Hydrated Chlorophyll A Oligomer 322
P745: Water Photooxidation 325
Artificial Photosynthesis in Monolayers and Langmuir–Blodgett Films 332
Chapter 15. Humans and Plants 348
Appendix 360
References 370
Index 396