Title:
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Variation within Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypic responses to environmental change : an environmental metabolomics approach
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Global average atmospheric CO2 concentrations are predicted to double
before the end of this century. This increase has been predicted to raise
global average temperatures, which in turn will increase atmospheric
humidity. How plants will respond to these changes is an area of intense
study.
The variation within ecotypic responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to these
environmental variables (C02, temperature and humidity) is explored in
this thesis using a combination of morphological and novel environmental
metabolomics techniques. This study utilises ecotypes of Arabidopsis
thaliana originating from a range of altitudes and geographical locations to
elucidate altitude-mediated variation In response to changes In
environmental conditions.
Morphological investigation shows that stomatal conductance is regulated
by an interchangeable mechanism of stomatal density and stomatal aperture
over a range of CO2 treatments and that elevated temperature or humidity
can disrupt this mechanism. Furthermore, these characteristics of stomatal
responses of Arabidopsis thaliana are shown to be independent of ecotypic
altitude of origin.
Environmental metabolomic analysis demonstrated clear separation
between ecotypic rnetabolite fingerprints as well as showing correlations
between ecotype altitude of origin and specific plant primary and
secondary metabolites; providing novel elucidation of biochemical
pathways involved in responses to environmental perturbation.
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