Biology

Okay,
There's something bugging my mind. What is the role of pigments in plants?

Chlorophylls are use for photosynthesis... And photosynthesis, is the process by which plants transform solar energy into a carbohydrate (carbohydrate of choice is glucose). And during that process somewhere along the lines oxygen is release... But but I grew up with the impression that plants underwent photosynthesis to make oxygen for us... Turns out they undergo that process to create food for them, right?

Anywho, there are other pigments in the plants, what role do they play? Also when trees lose their leaves, do they no longer undergo photosynthesis?

I'll answer you asap. This is my favourite topic. Lol.

EDIT:
PS. Photosynthesis never stops until the roots are plucked or when there's no sunlight, because chlorophyll is found not only in leaves, but also in trunks and twigs.

I think Xylem tubes transport water and Pholem tubes transport energy/food in trees and plants. And I think photosynthesis stops when leaves fall off, thats how tree rings come into being I think, because they dont grow in winter? My memory is rusty though!

Cool topic.

I took Biology so long ago that we only studied fossilized subjects.

However, I was counselor for nature, survival and similar merit badges, so that makes me the expert. [EDIT: Boy Scouts]

Hence, rather than spout my poor knowledge I'm ducking into a very good reference, quack:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/programapps/studyguide/pdfs/Ch2_BiologyPhys.pdf

Yeah, plants don't create oxygen for us. They don't give a crap about us. But we evolved to breathe their by-product, so it all worked out. And we give them plenty of carbon dioxide in return.

It's all about evolution. Plants have pretty pigments to survive. This means to reproduce. Be attractive. It's their 'come hither' to birds and bees. And moths and bats (that's why night-blooming flowers are generally white... white also requires less energy which is good for sunless periods).

As for photosynthesis, although chlorophyll is the main one, the other pigments can do it as well for different wavelengths. All pigments absorb and reflect light energy. When the green chlorophyll disappears over autumn, it reveals the other pigments in the leaves.

I didn't think that plants could photosynthesise through their twigs and trunks... I thought that they were dormant over winter with no chloroplasts turning sunlight to glucose. They always photosynthesise more than they need, so I would guess that there would be enough stored glucose to undergo basic respiration at the mitochondrion level through winter and regrow leaves in spring.

Actually trees are our good friends. Specially of mine. We complete each other, we feed from one another: a perfect circle!! We poo for them, they give us fruits , and evidently oxygen, and shade, and beauty. I talk to them and they listen. I play music and they giggle; sometimes they even dance for me. I found them very erotic, specially where the stalks split.
We human are like camels, we save oxygen in our longs' humps for the autumn and winter. I think the trees are more sexy when they are dressed; they are kind of naked when they are sad.

Ddavidd, go dress your mind & stop splitting those poor stalks

I can see now why being technically celibate still works for you, ddavidd.

Right Larry I guess it is considered sexual harassment in pants judiciary systems .
Also their stalks are too hard , I mean oak hard. Actually only oak trees are oak hard, the other are tough to split according to their kinds.

Yes Abby , the energy is now universal. You do not know how erotic the flowers are!!!

In all fairness, Luce, you did title the thread biology, so I guess ddavidd's not completely off topic.

Just three point seven standard deviations off norm.

;8-)

Until few days ago there was no one to respond. days after days week after weeks hardly any post at all. haha Now we complain and threaten people who even slightly deviate from the initial subject. How ungrateful of us. So how many more post do you expect based on a simple function of leaves. It takes few minutes of googling for God sakes. I know though EV. question was more than that.
Or the mod thread is dried up already. I agree to stop a possible threat of fight but responding to Abby who says she refuses her nomination, is a deviation?? I guess we celebrating our death more than our life; that is why we have more tendency toward the first one than the second.

Now I am up to watching some trees splitting because I am mad. I hope I don't get sued for sexual harassment!!

It's a tease, D-man
Nothing more -
you simply walked into it whistling Hete I am!

But I take the blame if I did not put an emoticon

:8-)

No kidding because I was kidding too.

I think I am such a good pretender, everybody thinks I am serious, when only I am pretending I am serious. I would take blame as well if I did not put mad.
because when I say I am mad, I imply anger but I mean cuckoo.

Larry you like me don't have a mean bone in your body.

D-Man, you would not believe how much meanness I have had to get under control over the years.

You don't grow up the youngest of seven with two immediate older brothers always beating on you and two almost adult sisters always dictating to you without learning to fight as an immediate response.

I think I was lucky that I met people along the way that helped me discover better ways of dealing with it.

I'm still struggling.

Only time I feel really good without guilt is when I'm cross-examining.

That is why you are here , to teach us become like you.
I know, I am old enough to know nothing could be achieved without pain , This is the massage behind the silence of the lambs.

Great.
So now I'm Hannibal Lector.

Well, no offense, but you sure don't look like Agent Starling

On
The other hand...
http://www.marthastewart.com/975835/fava-bean-recipes/@center/1009726/spring-produce#341046

Because you are lost in the allays s of genders and cosmetic illusions of beauty
but the truth is :

How I could win
is how Cinderella could win
in the eyes of her stepmother
because fairness is an ugly duckling!!