Question

A flask containing photosynthetic green algae and a control flask containing water with no algae are both placed under a bank of lights, which are set to cycle between 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. The dissolved oxygen concentrations in both flasks are monitored. In which flask will the dissolved oxygen be the highest? A) The flask with the algae. B) There is not enough evidence. C) Both flasks will be the same. D) The flask with the water.

Answer 1

Explanation:

A) The flask with the algae

Aquatic green plants and algae contain chlorophyll, a specialized compound which facilitates the conversion of light energy to energy stored in carbohydrates. The oxygen produced is dissolved in the surrounding water and as dissolved oxygen.

Photosynthesis is a chemical pathway that’s integral to producing energy in plants and other primary producers. Energy in the form of molecules of glucose is produced from light, water and carbon dioxide while oxygen is released. This occurs in several complex steps, photosynthesis is a rate limited reaction, depends on several factors including carbon dioxide concentration, ambient temperature and light intensity; the energy is retrieved from photons, I.e. Particles of light, and water is used as a reducing agent.

Water supplies the chlorophyll in plant cell with replacement electrons for the ones removed from photosystem II. Additionally, water (H2O) split by light during photolysis into H+ and OH- acts as a source of oxygen along with functioning as a reducing agent; it reduces the molecule NADP to NADPH by providing H+ ions. NADP and NADPH are integral to the Calvin cycle where monosaccharides or sugars like glucose are produced after the modification of several molecules.

Respiration and photorespiration both utilize oxygen for;

• the production of ATP via the oxidization of pyruvate;
• and the oxygenation of the molecule Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP), an organic molecule also used in photosynthesis, to form 3-PGA + phosphoglycolic acid,

∴ the rate of CO2 usage for photosynthesis where O2 is produced, outpaces the rate of O2 use in respiration and photorespiration.

Learn more about Photosynthesis at brainly.com/question/4216541

#LearnWithBrainly