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A student found an unusual plant species growing in the local park - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 2 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 2
A student found an unusual plant species growing in the local park. Without knowing what type of plants they were, the student undertook experiments to identify the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student found an unusual plant species growing in the local park - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 2 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
To which plant group (C3, C4 or CAM) would this unusual plant species most likely belong? Justify your answer.
Answer
The most likely type of plant is C4, as it exhibits high starch formation at 40 °C and at high humidity. C4 plants are adapted to thrive in high-temperature environments, which aligns with the results showing a notable starch production under such conditions. The presence of high humidity also supports the C4 pathway, which is more efficient under such circumstances compared to C3 or CAM.
Step 2
Why does exposing the plants to green or blue light as opposed to white light affect the formation of starch? Justify your answer.
Answer
White light is made up of different colors, including green and blue light, which correspond to varying wavelengths. Green light is mostly reflected and not absorbed by plants, making it less effective for photosynthesis compared to blue light, which is absorbed efficiently. Blue light, being absorbed, is used in photosynthesis to produce glucose, which subsequently forms starch. Therefore, the effect of light color on starch formation is significant, with blue light promoting higher starch production than light sources that include more green light.