Question

The Arizona poppy is a plant that is native to the Southwestern United States. Its orange flower blooms in the summer and the plant is covered in small hairs. It is an important part of an ecosystem because at least 46 different species of insects visit the flower for food. The Arizona poppy has adapted to living in areas that receive less rain, but there are still periods of time that a drought occurs. What part(s) of photosynthesis would the plant not be able to perform if there were no rain? What would be the long-term effects on the plant if the drought continues? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

There are three main aspects of photosynthesis

(i) Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll.

(ii)Photolysis of water

(iii) combination of water and CO2 to form carbohydrates.

The second and the third aspects of photosynthesis are controlled by the availability of water. Plants absorb water from the soil through their root hairs and it moves up to the leaves by capillary action.

Hence, if there is no rain (drought), the soil will lack water and so does the plant thereby hindering the uptake of water for the second and third stages of photosynthesis.

the Arizona poppy, lie dormant during drought only to germinate, grow, flower, and yield seeds a few weeks after the rains return.