Most scientists agree that global warming is underway, thus, it is important to know how plants respond to heat stress. Which of
the following would be a useful line of inquiry to try and improve plant response and survival to heat stress? a. the production of heat-stable carbohydrates b. increased production of heat-shock proteins c. the opening of stomata to increase evaporational heat loss d. protoplast fusion experiments with xerophytic plants e. all of the above
The answer is b) increased production of heat-shock proteins
Explanation:
High temperatures release a cascade of signals that drive the expression of some genes and the synthesis of so-called stress proteins, whose function is to stabilize the structure of proteins and enzymes and are involved in the protection of the photosynthetic system and stabilization of the membranes. Plants produce antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes to reduce the damage caused by reactive oxygen species, since the production of these substances is caused by heat stress.
