Final answer:
Plant scientists aim to enhance photosynthesis to produce nutrient-rich crops that endure extreme climates. They may experiment to find key growth resources, focusing on water and CO2 as essential for photosynthesis. Improvements involve research in genetics, plant hormones, and selection of beneficial traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plant scientists hope to improve plant processes such as photosynthesis, which is central to sustaining life on Earth, by developing crop species that can provide more nutrients and grow under harsh conditions. To identify the most important resources for plant growth, one could conduct experiments to observe the effects of varying the levels of different resources such as water, sunlight, and nutrients. Photosynthesis produces glucose and oxygen, and requires carbon dioxide and water as raw materials, which plants typically get from the air and soil, respectively.
Understanding where plants get the raw materials for photosynthesis is crucial, as plants take up water and mineral nutrients through their roots, with water being a direct input for the photosynthetic process. The chemical reactions of photosynthesis take place in the chloroplasts of plant cells. Plant hormones such as auxins stimulate growth, while others can inhibit it. Crop improvement and development are achieved through the collaboration of scientists, geneticists, agriculturists, and various institutions dedicated to agricultural research.
Considering the complexity of phenotypes and rapid DNA analysis tools, scientists are now able to more quickly identify and select for desirable plant traits, such as increased yield, disease resistance, and tolerance to environmental stresses. These traits are chosen based on their potential to improve crop productivity and sustainability.