Consider the following statements describing the functions of plants :

Consider the following statements describing the functions of plants :

  • 1. Photosynthesis is a process to convert light energy from the Sun into chemical energy i.e., Carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water using sun light
  • 2. Fermentation or Zymology is a metabolic process that converts carbohydrate to alcohols and carbon dioxide

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
Both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct descriptions of biological processes that are functions of plants.
Statement 1 is correct. Photosynthesis is the primary metabolic process in most plants (and other photoautotrophs) where light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of glucose and other carbohydrates using carbon dioxide and water.
Statement 2 is correct. Fermentation is a metabolic process that can occur in plants, particularly under anaerobic or low-oxygen conditions (e.g., in flooded roots or germinating seeds). Alcoholic fermentation, as described, converts carbohydrates into ethanol and carbon dioxide. While not as central a function as photosynthesis, it is a metabolic pathway found in plants. Zymology is the study of fermentation. The description of the process is accurate.
Photosynthesis is essential for the survival of autotrophic plants, forming the base of most food webs. Fermentation in plants can serve various purposes, such as generating ATP under anaerobic conditions, regenerating NAD+ for glycolysis, or producing secondary metabolites. While alcoholic fermentation producing ethanol and CO2 is common (e.g., in yeast), some plants also perform this process. Other types of fermentation exist (e.g., lactic acid fermentation), but the statement specifically describes alcoholic fermentation. Both statements accurately describe processes that are functions of plants.