Chapter 8, Problem 46A

Summary Introduction

To identify:

The concentration of cadmium that had largest effect on leaf size, chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis

Introduction:

Cadmium is a heavy metal that is toxic to humans, plants and animals. It is present as a contaminant in soil. The given graph shows the effect of cadmium on size of leaf, chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis.Cadmium has a negative effect on leaf size, chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis.

Answer to Problem 46A

The largest effect on leaf size was observed at a cadmium concentration of 10µM.

The largest effect on chlorophyll contentwas observed at a cadmium concentration of 10µM.

The largest effect on rate of photosynthesiswas observed at a cadmium concentration of 20µM.

Explanation of Solution

From the given graph we can see that at cadmium concentration of 10µM, the leaf size decreased maximum from 100 to almost 70. So the largest effect on leaf size was observed at10µM.

At cadmium concentration of 10µM, the chlorophyll content fell sharply from 100 to 40. So thelargest effect on chlorophyll contentwas observed at a cadmium concentration of 10µM.

At cadmium concentration of 20µM, the rate of photosynthesis dropped maximum from 100 to almost 65. So the largest effect on rate of photosynthesiswas observed at a cadmium concentration of 20µM.