I know there is a waxy cuticle coating the leaf but what exactly is the molecular mechanism behind this phenomenon?
2006-10-18 14:37:51 · 6 answers · asked by panther 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Waxes that coat plant leaves do aid in helping keep water off the surface by producing a hydrophobilc ("water fearing") barrier around the leaf tissue. The molecular mechanism section of your question can be answered more effectively by looking at the reason for this was being present.
Pathogens wanting to infect the plant via the leaves, ie bacteria, fungi need water to either get into the leaf, via the stomata or other openings or they need water to germinate and be able to penetrate the leaf surface using their own structures, as in the case of fungi. If the plant is able to keep water off of the surface of it's leaves it can help ensure that any fungi spores or bacteria that are on the surface are unable to infect the leaf. This defense system is very common in most plants, not just the lotus.
2006-10-20 05:50:36 · answer #1 · answered by beatmassacre 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While the lotus leaf is brothers with the rain and the sunshine it chooses to exist together yet singular.
2006-10-19 02:11:13 · answer #2 · answered by onottopilot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's something like a non-polar or a lipid membrane, it keeps the water out because it's hydrophobic.
u said waxy too... check the link on wiki about wax properties, it's hydrophobic too.
2006-10-18 21:55:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This would be because the lotus bird (Jacanidae) is at its work with its big feet shaking the water droplets from the leaves.
2006-10-19 08:00:46 · answer #4 · answered by 2Wterra 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lotus is the flower that Brahma rests on so it is sacred and water will not touch it.
2006-10-18 21:39:56 · answer #5 · answered by Isis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here's a thought:".....Maybe it's waterproof!"
2006-10-18 21:46:03 · answer #6 · answered by musical_genius 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋