The Propagation of Light, Impetus Theory, and Aristotle’s Physics III.3

The Optical Properties of Leaf Structural Elements and Their Contribution to Photosynthetic Performance and Photoprotection

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10071455 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1455

Author(s):

George Karabourniotis ◽

Georgios Liakopoulos ◽

Panagiota Bresta ◽

Dimosthenis Nikolopoulos

Keyword(s):

Glandular Trichomes ◽

Spectral Band ◽

Co2 Assimilation ◽

Photosynthetic Performance ◽

Structural Elements ◽

Internal Layers ◽

Water Losses ◽

Light Gradient ◽

Propagation Of Light ◽

Light Capture

Leaves have evolved to effectively harvest light, and, in parallel, to balance photosynthetic CO2 assimilation with water losses. At times, leaves must operate under light limiting conditions while at other instances (temporally distant or even within seconds), the same leaves must modulate light capture to avoid photoinhibition and achieve a uniform internal light gradient. The light-harvesting capacity and the photosynthetic performance of a given leaf are both determined by the organization and the properties of its structural elements, with some of these having evolved as adaptations to stressful environments. In this respect, the present review focuses on the optical roles of particular leaf structural elements (the light capture module) while integrating their involvement in other important functional modules. Superficial leaf tissues (epidermis including cuticle) and structures (epidermal appendages such as trichomes) play a crucial role against light interception. The epidermis, together with the cuticle, behaves as a reflector, as a selective UV filter and, in some cases, each epidermal cell acts as a lens focusing light to the interior. Non glandular trichomes reflect a considerable part of the solar radiation and absorb mainly in the UV spectral band. Mesophyll photosynthetic tissues and biominerals are involved in the efficient propagation of light within the mesophyll. Bundle sheath extensions and sclereids transfer light to internal layers of the mesophyll, particularly important in thick and compact leaves or in leaves with a flutter habit. All of the aforementioned structural elements have been typically optimized during evolution for multiple functions, thus offering adaptive advantages in challenging environments. Hence, each particular leaf design incorporates suitable optical traits advantageously and cost-effectively with the other fundamental functions of the leaf.

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Propagation of Light Beams in Photorefractive Media: Fanning, Self-Bending, and Formation of Self-Pumped Four-Wave-Mixing Phase Conjugation Geometries

Physical Review Letters ◽

10.1103/physrevlett.73.818 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 73 (6) ◽

pp. 818-821 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

A. A. Zozulya ◽

M. Saffman ◽

D. Z. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Phase Conjugation ◽

Four Wave Mixing ◽

Wave Mixing ◽

Propagation Of Light ◽

Light Beams

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Modeling the propagation of light in photonic crystal fibers

Physica D Nonlinear Phenomena ◽

10.1016/j.physd.2003.09.045 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 189 (1-2) ◽

pp. 100-106 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

J. Arriaga ◽

J.C. Knight ◽

P.St.J. Russell

Keyword(s):

Photonic Crystal ◽

Photonic Crystal Fibers ◽

Propagation Of Light ◽

Crystal Fibers

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Waveguide Propagation of Light in Cholesterics with Large Pitch

Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology Section A Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals ◽

10.1080/10587250108035593 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 359 (1) ◽

pp. 351-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Elena V. Aksenova ◽

Vadim P. Romanov ◽

Alexei Yu. Val'kov

Keyword(s):

Waveguide Propagation ◽

Propagation Of Light

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VI. Experiments on the production and propagation of light from the phosphorus in vacuo , made before the Royal Society by Mr. Fra. Hauksbee

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London ◽

10.1098/rstl.1704.0060 ◽

1705 ◽

Vol 24 (296) ◽

pp. 1865-1866

Keyword(s):

Royal Society ◽

Propagation Of Light ◽

Dark Room

Experiment I. In pursuance to the Commands of his Honourable Society, Having a dark Room provided, the first Experiment was by drawing some Lines on a piece of blue Paper with the Phosphorus , which became immediately Luminous in the open Air, having a continual undulating Motion. This being plac'd under a Receiver, after some few Exclusions, the Undulation ceas'd, but the Luminous Quality appeared to be in a great measure increas'd; the Receiver being farther exaulted, it became manifestly brighter; and so continu'd, till on the Admission of Air (which was gradually done) the Light sensibly diminishing all the while. But upon the Repetition of the Experiment, it was the Opinion of those Gentlemen then present, that it did not appear altogether so brisk or so vivid as at first.

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