Biology

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 ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

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.

Statement I: When a piece of brick lying on grass for a number of days is removed, the covered part of the grass appears pale.
Statement II: Synthesis of chlorophyll, which gives green pigment, occurs in presence of sunlight.

[amp_mcq option1=”Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I” option2=”Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I” option3=”Statement I is true but Statement II is false” option4=”Statement I is false but Statement II is true” correct=”option1″]

Both statements are individually true, and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.

– Statement I describes an observed phenomenon: grass covered by an opaque object (like a brick) becomes pale. This is a common observation.
– Statement II provides a scientific fact: Chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the green color in plants, requires sunlight for its synthesis. This process is part of photosynthesis.
– The paleness of the grass (loss of green color) occurs because the brick blocks sunlight, preventing the grass from synthesizing chlorophyll. Without chlorophyll, the green pigment is absent or significantly reduced. Therefore, Statement II directly explains why Statement I occurs.

– This phenomenon is an example of etiolation, a process where plants grow in the absence of light, resulting in pale, elongated stems and small leaves due to lack of chlorophyll development.

Plants capable of performing photosynthesis belong to which one among the following types of organisms?

[amp_mcq option1=”Heterotrophs” option2=”Saprotrophs” option3=”Autotrophs” option4=”Chemoheterotrophs” correct=”option3″]

C) Autotrophs

Organisms are classified based on how they obtain energy and carbon.
– Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals. Plants capable of photosynthesis use light energy (photoautotrophs) to synthesize organic compounds from inorganic sources like CO2 and water.
– Heterotrophs obtain carbon by consuming other organisms (plants or animals).
– Saprotrophs are heterotrophs that feed on dead organic matter.
– Chemoheterotrophs obtain both energy and carbon from consuming organic compounds.
Plants that perform photosynthesis are the primary producers in most ecosystems and are classified as autotrophs.

Photosynthesis is a vital process for life on Earth, converting light energy into chemical energy stored in organic molecules. This process releases oxygen as a byproduct, which is essential for the respiration of many organisms, including animals. Algae and some bacteria also perform photosynthesis.