Bizarre Facts in Biology

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Bizarre Facts in Biology

Hot Plants
Estimated time: 15 minutes
There are several species of plants that not only have the ability to regulate their temperature, but also to cause it to increase, sometimes significantly higher than the environmental temperature! The ability to generate heat is called thermogenesis. How is the plant able to generate heat? As you have learned in Chapters 7 and 8, plants undergo both photosynthesis and cell respiration. These thermogenic plants carry out a modification of cell respiration, called the alternative respiration pathway that allows them to generate a significant amount of heat energy. The ability to control temperature may give these plants several adaptive advantages. The warmth of the plant may cause the scent of its flower to become more volatile, thus attracting pollinators. The heat of the plant may promote flowering in cold weather. In some cases, thermogenesis may occur in order to provide a warm environment for pollinators.
Skunk cabbage is a good example of a thermogenic plant. These plants are among the first to bloom in the spring. The heat from the plant often melts the snow around them. Their flower is covered with a shell-shaped hood or spathe, and large leaves appear after the flowers have bloomed. The leaves have an odor that has been likened to decaying flesh, giving the plant its common name.

1. Read about thermogenecity in skunk cabbage. What is the source of energy needed for this heat production?
To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

2. How does the alternative electron transport pathway work? Is oxygen necessary?
To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

3. Read about a relative to the skunk cabbage, the giant corpse flower. A recent specimen from the University of California-Davis Botanical Conservatory, "Ted," was studied by researchers. What was the highest temperature recorded in "Ted"? The smell of these plants is very strong. What chemicals are thought to cause the rotting corpse smell?
To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.




1.	Read about thermogenecity in skunk cabbage. What is the source of energy needed for this heat production? To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.



2.	How does the alternative electron transport pathway work? Is oxygen necessary? To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.



3.	Read about a relative to the skunk cabbage, the giant corpse flower. A recent specimen from the University of California-Davis Botanical Conservatory, "Ted," was studied by researchers. What was the highest temperature recorded in "Ted"? The smell of these plants is very strong. What chemicals are thought to cause the rotting corpse smell? To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

Chapter 8: Harvesting Energy: Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration

Bizarre Facts in Biology