Plant Physiology - Musiyenko M.M. 2001

Adaptation and plant resistance mechanisms
Gas resistance

The emission of anthropogenic toxic gases into the atmosphere significantly impacts plant organisms. Gas resistance is the ability of plants to maintain their vital activity under the negative influence of harmful gases. Currently, a concept of comprehensive environmental monitoring has been developed, with biological monitoring as its core component. The principles of biological monitoring are being intensively developed today, and an essential element of it is the plant Organism, which reacts quite sensitively to environmental pollution. The impact of harmful gases on a plant is a function of a rather complex set of meteorological conditions and factors, which are also determined by the state of the plant itself.

Changes in the photosynthetic activity of leaves serve as a rapid and fairly sensitive indicator of their damage, since photosynthetic reactions are likely the primary target of action. Acid gases, followed by acid precipitation in the form of rain, disrupt the Water regime and affect the functioning of membrane transport systems. It has been proven, for instance, that sulfur dioxide at concentrations of 0.08-0.1 mg/m3 causes the degradation of chlorophyll and METABOLISM/14.html">Chloroplasts. At low pH values of 3.2-3.4, chlorophyll is oxidized, while at pH 2-3 it turns into pheophytin; therefore, sulfur dioxide pollution can be easily indicated by the chlorophyll content. The indicator of peroxidase activity is used to detect fluorine contamination.

Based on their reaction to toxic gases, plants are classified into gas-sensitive and gas-resistant species. Gas-resistant organisms are able to control gas uptake via their stomatal apparatus, maintain cytoplasmic buffering and ionic balance, and detoxify harmful gases within the organism. It should be emphasized that the plant organism is the most sensitive and reliable indicator of atmospheric pollution.



Last update: 07/08/2026

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