| MadSci Network: Botany |
C4 plants will give off the most oxygen per volume of plant. In general, a plant will generate one mole of oxygen per mole of carbon dioxide that is taken up during photosynthesis. This ratio is a function of photosynthetic rate and leaf structure and orientation. The former is dependent upon light, temperature, and water status. Leaf structure, among other things, refers to leaf thickness, chloroplast number and chloroplast orientation. It is difficult to pinpoint a specific plant because photosynthetic rate is adaptive to the plant's particular environment. Chloroplast number and orientation are also adaptive. C4 plants are the most likely candidates for higher oxygen generation because, in general, they are the most efficient at carbon dioxide uptake and photosynthesis. As you are probably aware, C4 plants include wheat, maize, and many subtropical shrubs and low-lying plants within a semi-arid type of environment.
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