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45

A cyclic process is occurring in $C_3$ plant, which is light dependent and needs $\mathrm{O}_2$. This process doesn't produce energy rather it consumes energy.

(a) Can you name the given process?

(b) Is it essential for survival?

(c) What are the end products of this process?

(d) Where does it occur?

Explanation

(a) Photorespiration is the process, which do not produce energy rather consum it.

(b) It is not needed for the survival of $\mathrm{C}_3$ plant.

(c) The end product of this process is $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}_2$.

(d) This process involves three cell organelles of the plant cell.

(i) Chloroplast (ii) Peroxisome (iii) Mitochondria

46

Suppose Euphorbia and maize are grown in the tropical area.

(a) Which one of them do you think will be able to survive under such conditions?

(b) Which one of them is more efficient in terms of photosynthetic activity?

(c) What difference do you think are there in their leaf anatomy?

Explanation

(a) Euphorbia is a CAM plant. It fixes $\mathrm{CO}_2$ during night and uses it in day time. It will be able to survive in hot tropical climate.

(b) Maize being a $\mathrm{C}_4$ plant is more efficient in terms of photosynthetic activity as it is able to use $\mathrm{CO}_2$ at lower level as well as high $\mathrm{O}_2$ and temperature.

(c) Maize plants show kranz anatomy in their leaves. They have granal chloroplast in mesophyll cells and agranal in bundle sheath cells. Euphorbia does not have $\mathrm{C}_4$ cycle so kranz anatomy is not found in them.

47
Is it correct to say that photosynthesis occurs only in leaves of a plant? Besides leaves, what are the other parts that may be capable of carrying out photosynthesis? Justify.
Explanation

Photosynthesis is a process which mainly occurs in leaves of all green plants. The plants have designed their leaf in such a way that it is able to trap solar radiation and effectively convert solar/light energy to chemical energy. But biology is science of exceptions. Some plants carry out photosynthesis in modified plant parts other then leaves.

Few examples are as follows

1. Root as Photosynthetic Organ

When roots develop chlorophyll and start photosynthesis, they are called assimilitory roots. Trapa and Tinospora are the examples of assimilatory roots.

2. Stem as Photosynthetic Organ

In Opuntia, the stem gets modified to take up the function of leaves. It becomes flattened, thick and succulent and perform photosynthesis. Such structures are called phylloclade.

3. Petiole as Photosynthetic Organ In Australian Acasia the petiole takes the shape and function of photosynthesis because leaf lamina soon falls off.

48

The entire process of photosynthesis consists of a number of reactions. Where in the cell do each of these take place?

(a) Synthesis of ATP and NADPH ............ .

(b) Photolysis of water ............ .

(c) Fixation of $\mathrm{CO}_2$ ............

.

(d) Synthesis of sugar molecule ............ .

(e) Synthesis of starch ............ .

Explanation

(a) Synthesis of ATP and NADPH takes place in outer side of thylakoid membrane.

(b) Photolysis of water occurs in inner side of thylakoid membrane.

(c) Fixation of $\mathrm{CO}_2$ occurs in stroma of chloroplast.

(d) Synthesis of sugar molecule occurs in chloroplast.

(e) Synthesis of starch occurs in cytoplasm.

49
Which property of the pigment is responsible for its ability to initiate the process of photosynthesis? Why is the rate of photosynthesis higher in the red and blue regions of the spectrum of light?
Explanation
The chlorophyll pigments are present in the thylakoid membranes. They have the property of excitability and emits $e^{-}$in the excited stage, though this $e^{-}$is replaced and transferred by the $e^{-}$generated from splitting of water molecules. Red and Blue Light have maximum energy which a chlorophyll pigment absorbs and get excited and initiate the process of photosynthesis. Also, its wavelength are ( $400-700 \mathrm{~nm}$ ) i.e., between the Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR). Thus, the rate of photosynthesis is higher in blue and red light.