Question

The production of starch, and not glucose, is often used as a measure of photosynthesis in leaves because
A) Starch is the immediate product of photosynthesis.
B) Glucose formed in photosynthesis get converted to starch
C) Starch is soluble in water.
D) Sugar is not tested.

Answer 1

Hint: As we know photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to produce energy from both carbon dioxide and water. Here phototrophs convert light energy into chemical energy. This chemical energy is stored in the form of sugars.

Complete answer:
The immediate product of photosynthesis is glucose which is used as fuel for various cellular activities. The by-product of this process is oxygen, glucose and fructose. These sugars are sent to roots, stem, fruits, flowers and seeds. Sugars are used by plants which are used as an energy source. Sugar molecules then combine with each other to form more complex carbohydrates like starch. Photosynthesis occurs when light energy is used by plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Leaves contain small microscopic organelles called chloroplast.
As glucose gets utilised so its presence cannot be detected. But starch is stored in plants and it can be easily detected, hence production of starch is often used as a measure of photosynthesis in leaves.

Hence the correct answer is Option B.

Notes:
Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis. These cell organelles are present only in plant cells and located within mesophyll cells. Various factors affect photosynthesis which are light intensity, concentration of carbon dioxide, water, carbon dioxide, pollution.
Photosynthesis takes place in two stages. Light dependent and light independent reactions. Light dependent reactions are also called as light reactions and they occur during the day time whereas light independent reaction is also called Dark reaction or Calvin Cycle.