Plants face a challenging dilemma when it comes to sunlight, according to Stuart Blackman. On one hand, they rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, a process that allows them to produce sugar and fuel their growth. However, exposure to sunlight also makes them vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause significant damage to DNA and are harmful to all living organisms.
Unlike animals, plants cannot simply move to a shaded area when they’ve had enough sun, nor can they rely on biological sunscreens without hindering photosynthesis. Instead, plants have evolved to focus on repairing the damage caused by UV rays rather than preventing it.
When plants are exposed to UV light, specific molecules in their tissues are activated. These molecules trigger a series of biochemical reactions that lead to the production of enzymes responsible for repairing broken DNA strands.
While the exact processes are not yet fully understood, this natural repair mechanism may one day offer new ways to protect crops—and even humans—from the damaging effects of excessive sun exposure.