Question

Identify the anabolic process from the following.

A) Photosynthesis

B) Glycolysis

C) Hydrolysis of starch

D) Respiration.

Answer 1

Hint:Anabolic processes are a set of biochemical reactions that construct complex molecules from smaller simpler components. Anabolic processes require an input of energy to progress and are not spontaneous.

Complete answer:
1) Photosynthesis is the process used by plants, algae and certain bacteria to harness energy from sunlight and turn it into chemical energy. As, during photosynthesis, carbohydrate (a complex product) Is formed from carbon dioxide and water (simpler reactants) in presence of sunlight, it is an anabolic process.
2) Glycolysis is the process by which one molecule of glucose is broken down or converted into two molecules of pyruvate, two hydrogen ions and two molecules of water. Hence, the 'high energy' molecules of ATP and NADH are synthesised, which are often used as the cell’s energy currency. The pyruvate molecules then proceed to produce acetyl-coA (acetyl coenzyme A) is produced. Therefore, it is a catabolic process.
3) Hydrolysis of starch is a catabolic process where the process of breaking down of the starch into simpler molecules is done by bacteria that can hydrolyze starch (amylose and amylopectin) using the enzymes a-amylase and oligo-1,6-glucosidase. The most common final products of starch hydrolysis can be maltodextrins, glucose, fructose or maltose.
4) Respiration is the chemical reaction in which glucose and oxygen are turned into water, carbon dioxide, and ATP. Here, glucose and oxygen are reactants, while water, carbon dioxide, and energy are products. As, respiration is the oxidative process releasing ATP. It has both catabolic as well as anabolic reactions involved hence it is rather considered as an amphibolic process.

Thus, the correct answer is option A (Photosynthesis).

Note:The reactions of plant photosynthesis are divided into those that require the presence of sunlight and those that do not. Both types of reactions take place in chloroplasts.