Concept explainers
Can green algae replace “black gold”?
Over the past decade, there has been great interest in developing a sustainable and renewable energy source that would displace our dependence on fossil fuels. Photosynthetic organisms, like the microalgae being cultured in the image above, are currently being used to produce bioethanol, biodiesel, and bio-H2. How are photosynthetic organisms being engineered to promote the production of these biofuels?
Aquatic plants and algae carry out photosynthesis using the same light reactions and Calvin cycle as in land plants. Would you expect any of these organisms to also require the C4 pathway? Describe the problem that is solved by the C4 pathway in land plants and if this could ever be an issue in an aquatic environment.
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Biological Science (7th Edition)
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- Despite CAM photosynthesis having a comparatively higher water use efficiency relative to C3 and C4 plants, its distribution is restricted primarily to desert succulents. In terms of water use efficiency, explain why CAM photosynthesis has not spread more widely.arrow_forwardWhich of the following correctly sequences the steps of non-cyclic electron transport? a) Chlorophyll molecules absorb UV radiation exciting electrons which flow through photosystem I, returning to the chlorophyll molecules b) Electrons donated from water molecules pass through photosystem I then photosystem II before returning to the chlorophyll molecules, generating ATP in the process c) Water is oxidized by the capture of light energy; these excited electrons are passed through the dark reactions, returning to chlorophyll during the final light reactions d) The ATP and NADPH generated by the reactions of photosystem II and photosystem I are utilized by the Calvin Cycle to build high energy glucose moleculesarrow_forwardGreen sulfur bacteria are able to generate which of the following inorganic product molecules during anoxygenic photosynthesis? elemental sulfur glucose C6H12O6 oxygen hydrogen sulfide Green sulfur bacteria are able to generate which of the following inorganic product molecules during anoxygenic photosynthesis? elemental sulfur glucose C6H12O6 oxygen hydrogen sulfidearrow_forward
- Why is carbon important to life? What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle? What is the role of cellular respiration in the carbon cycle? How does the burning of fossil fuels contribute to the carbon cycle? How do death and decomposition contribute to the carbon cycle? Why is nitrogen important to life? How much of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen gas? Why is N2 (atmospheric nitrogen) not usable by most organisms? What organisms are responsible for nitrogen fixation? How do plants receive the nitrogen that they require? Why are bacteria essential to the carbon and nitrogen cycles?qarrow_forwardIf ribulose bisphosphate were removed from a chloroplast, which of the following statements would BEST describe the immediate result? b)ATP could not be produced in the thylakoid a) CO2 could not enter the Calvin cycle d) Light energy could not be trapped in the grana c) 02 could not enter the Calvin Cyclearrow_forwardWhy might chemosynthetic communities exist only in places like the deep-ocean floor rather than across a wide range of land and sea habitats, the way photosynthesis-based communities are?arrow_forward
- What are the potential advantages of promoting artificial photosynthesis research?arrow_forwardSuppose we set up a system in a lab where plants are automatically injected with all the glucose they need to survive. What part of photosynthesis would the plants no longer need to perform? Group of answer choices a)ETC 1 b)the entire dark reaction c)the entire light reaction d)P700 e)all of itarrow_forwardWhy is only 1 out of 100 chlorophylls attached to the electron transport chain? does the chlorophyll attached to the electron transport chain differ from the others?arrow_forward
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