What does the basic photosynthetic equation indicate about the source of much of the dry mass of a plant?

Question

a. Water is an important reactant and is therefore primarily responsible for the increase in dry mass as a plant grows.

b. Inorganic carbon taken from the air is an important reactant and is therefore responsible for the increase in dry mass as a plant grows.

c. Carbohydrate taken from other plants is an important reactant and is therefore responsible for the increase in dry mass as a plant grows.



d. Inorganic carbon taken from the soil is an important reactant and is therefore responsible for the increase in dry mass as a plant grows.

Answer 1

Hi Danielle,

The photosynthesis formula incorporates CO₂ and H₂O with energy from the sun. Photosynthetic assimilation of CO₂ contributes to a large portion of plant dry mass. Therefore the answer is B.

Photosynthesis allows plants to assimilate inorganic carbon, hydrogen and oxygen as organic molecules into the plant's dry mass.

Lisa H.