Based on the video of the embolism spreading through leaf veins you just saw, which is the CORRECT statement?
a. minor veins embolize first, followed by major veins
b. embolism veins closer to one another tend to embolize first, regardless of vein orders
c. major veins tend to embolize before minor veins
d. embolism tend to occur at the bottom of the leaf before it reaches the veins at the top Oa Ob Oc Od
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. embolism veins closer to one another tend to embolize first, regardless of vein orders.
Explanation:
An embolism in a plant leaf refers to the formation of gas bubbles inside the xylem vessels, which can block the flow of water and nutrients. The process of embolism spreading through leaf veins follows a specific pattern based on the arrangement and proximity of the veins.
Embolism is more likely to spread to veins that are physically close to each other because the gas bubbles, which form in the xylem, can propagate through adjacent vessels. These vessels are often interconnected, allowing the embolism to travel quickly between them. When one vein embolizes, it increases the likelihood of embolism spreading to neighboring veins.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
- a. Minor veins embolize first, followed by major veins: This statement is not generally true. The pattern of embolism is influenced more by the connectivity of the veins and the physical proximity of embolized areas than by the size of the veins.
- c. Major veins tend to embolize before minor veins: This is also incorrect. There is no consistent pattern of major veins embolizing first. The propagation of embolism is more related to how the veins are arranged and connected, rather than their size.
- d. Embolism tends to occur at the bottom of the leaf before it reaches the veins at the top: This is not a common rule. The development of embolism is primarily determined by factors such as water stress and the connectivity of veins, not by their position on the leaf.
Thus, option b best describes how embolism spreads in leaf veins.