Biology

Photosynthesis in Plants

1,492 Questions

Photosynthesis is the biological process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. This page contains practice questions covering essential topics like chlorophyll, light reactions, and the pathways specific to plants. This material is crucial for medical entrance exams and academic assessments.

Chlorophyll and pigmentsLight reactionsCalvin cycleCAM plantsElectron transportPhotosynthesis factors

Photosynthesis in Plants Questions

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Source of protons within the chloroplasts is

  1. Water

  2. Excited chlorophyll

  3. Carbon dioxide

  4. Rubisco
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Chemiosmotic hypothesis explains how ATP is synthesized in the chloroplast. ATP synthesis is linked to the development of a proton gradient across the membrane of the thylakoid of chloroplast and proton accumulation is towards the inside of the membrane i.e., in the lumen. Source of protons within the chloroplasts is water. The splitting of water molecule takes place on the inner side of the membrane and so the protons (hydrogen ions) are produced, they accumulate within the lumen of the thylakoids. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Which of the following helped in confirming that oxygen evolved in photosynthesis comes from water?

  1. $H _2 \,\,\, ^{18}O$
  2. $^{14}CO _2$
  3. $^{15}NO _3$
  4. $^{3}H _2O$.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the process of photosynthesis, water acts as a stable oxygen donor. To prove the theory radioisotopic technique was used. 

Instead of the normal oxygen, the radioisotope was taken. It was seen that after the oxidation of water, the oxygen formed was ¹⁸O₂.
So, the correct option is '¹⁸O'

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

The evidence that during photosynthesis oxygen comes from water

  1. Photosynthetic bacteria employ $H _2S$ and $CO _2$ to form carbohydrates, water and sulphur.

  2. Isolated illuminated chloroplasts release oxygen if provided with potassium ferrocyanide.
  3. Isotopic $^{18}O$ provided as $H _2\,\, ^{18}O$ appears as $^{18}O _2$ liberated in photosynthesis.

  4. All the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A)In 1930, C.B.Van Niel proved that the sulphur bacteria use H$ _2$S and CO$ _2$ to synthesize carbohydrates.

B)When an isolated chloroplast is placed in potassium ferrocyanide it reacts with copper to make a complex and water is split to release oxygen.
C)In 1942 Ruben and Kamen using Chlorella algae prove that oxygen in photosynthesis come out during slitting of water by using an isotope of oxygen in water i.e.,$H _2^ {18}O$.
So, the correct option is 'All the above.'

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Photolysis of water takes place in 

  1. Calvin cycle

  2. Glycolysis

  3. Light phase

  4. Dark phase
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Photolysis as the name suggests is the process, which happens in the presence of light. Photolysis is the process of splitting of water molecule to liberate oxygen in the presence of light. It takes place in the light phase of photosyntehsis and closely in proximation of PS-II.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

PS II performs

  1. Reduction of $CO _2$

  2. Photolysis of water

  3. Liberation of energy

  4. Formation of water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Photolysis means to break down of the water molecule in the presence of light into H$^+$ nascent oxygen and an electron this process constitute in the PS II and the electron release is utilized by it as the compensation of electrons given by it to PS I during the Z scheme.

So, the correct option is 'Photolysis of water'

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

In photosynthesis, oxygen is liberated during

  1. Hydrolysis of carbohydrates

  2. Breakdown of proteins
  3. Reduction of $CO _2$

  4. Hydrolysis of water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

During this process, the electrons in water are removed and passed to the reaction center chlorophyll. The associated hydrogen ions are released from the water molecule, and after two water molecules are thus split, the oxygen atoms join to form molecular oxygen (O 2 ), a waste product of photosynthesis.


So, the correct option is 'Hydrolysis of water'.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Evidence for the liberation of O$ _2$ from water during photosynthesis comes from

  1. Release of $^{18}$O if water contains the same
  2. Isolated chloroplast supplied with reducing agent like potassium ferrocyanide evolves O$ _2$ even in absence of CO$ _2$
  3. Photosynthetic bacteria do not Iiberate O$ _2$ and they use H$ _2$S for obtaining reducing power

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A. Ruben and Kamen used the radioactive isotope of oxygen ($^1$$^8$O) in water and found that O$ _2$ liberated in the process was isotopically labelled. On the contrary, when $^1$$^8$O in CO$ _2$ was used, the evolved O$ _2$ did not show radioactivity.

B. Hill and Bendall isolated chloroplast from leaves of Stellaria media and experimented in the absence of CO$ _2$.
$ 2A + 2H _2O\rightarrow 2AH _2+O _2$
In the presence of Artificial Hill reagent Potassium ferricyanide and sunlight, this experiment is performed.
C.  Van Niel observed that during bacterial photosynthesis hydrogen sulphide was broken down to hydrogen and sulphur. The hydrogen reduces carbon dioxide to synthesize carbohydrate and sulphur is accumulated as a waste product.
Hence, the correct answer is 'All the above'.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

A specific function of light in the process of photosynthesis is

  1. Reduction of $CO _2$

  2. Activate other molecules

  3. Split water molecules

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Photolysis of water means splitting of water in the presence of light to get $H^+$ nascent oxygen and electron that compensate the loss of an electron from PS II during Z scheme and oxygen is released a the by-product with $H^+$ that acts as a proton and collects in the stroma.

So the correct option is 'Split water molecules'.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

In photosynthesis, photolysis of water is used in

  1. Reduction of NADP$^+$

  2. Oxidation of NADP

  3. Oxidation of FAD

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Photolysis of water is mainly carried out to compensate the electrons that are transferred to photosystem I by photosystem II during the non-cyclic photophosphorylation that reduce NADP$^+$ into NADPH.

So the correct option is 'None of the above'.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Photolysis of water requires

  1. Light

  2. Chlorophyll

  3. Both A and B

  4. Electron transport
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A) As the name suggests, photolysis of water requires light.

B) Photolysis is the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen using the light during the photosynthesis process. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll and is used to regenerate adenosine tri-phosphate or ATP and split water. Photolysis of water results in the release of oxygen, as a by-product, and the release of hydrogen.
C) Both light and chlorophyll are required in the photolysis of water.
D) Electron transport is not required in the photolysis of water.
So the correct answer is 'Both A and B'.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Which of the following provides electrons for reduction reactions in photosynthesis?

  1. NADPH

  2. Chlorophyll

  3. Cytochrome

  4. Water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Photolysis of water: Occurs at grana i.e., lumen side of grana thylakoid membrane with the help of water splitting complex or OEC (oxygen evolving complex). This step is associated with PS- II of Z- scheme.

$2H _2O\rightarrow4{H}^++ O _2+4{e}^-$

It is believed that oxygen evolves as oxygen gas, electrons are accepted by PS II reaction centre through unknown substance and hydrogen ions temporarily stay in the thylakoid space.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Water'.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Four electrons produced during photolysis of water will enter

  1. PS I

  2. PQ

  3. PS II

  4. PC
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
    • The photolysis of water (H$ _2$O) in the light reactions of photosynthesis occurs in the water-splitting complex of photosystem II.
    • photosystem II  in thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts where light is used to split water molecules as represented by the following equation: 2H$ _2$O → 4H+ + 4e- + O$ _2$.
    • Oxygen (O$ _2$) is liberated to the atmosphere as a waste product in this process and the electrons (e-) are gained to replace those lost through photoexcitation from chlorophyll a in the reaction center of photosystem II which begins noncyclic photophosphorylation. Hence four electrons produced during photolysis of water will enter PS  II.
    • So, the correct answer is 'PS  II'.
    Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

    In photosynthesis, splitting of water occurs during

    1. Cyclic photophosphorylation

    2. Non-cyclic photophosphorylation

    3. Oxidative photophosphorylation

    4. Calvin cycle
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    B Correct answer
    Explanation
    The other pathway, non-cyclic photophosphorylation, is a two-stage process involving two different chlorophyll photosystems. Being a light reaction, non-cyclic photophosphorylation occurs in the thylakoid membrane. First, a water molecule is broken down into 2H+ + 1/2 O2 + 2e− by a process called photolysis (or light-splitting). The two electrons from the water molecule are kept in photosystem II, while the 2H+and 1/2O2 are left out for further use. Then a photon is absorbed by chlorophyll pigments surrounding the reaction core centre of the photosystem. The light excites the electrons of each pigment, causing a chain reaction that eventually transfers energy to the core of photosystem II, exciting the two electrons that are transferred to the primary electron acceptor, phaeophytin. 

    So, the correct option is 'Option B'.
    Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

    Extrusion of electron from reaction centre of PS II leaves a hole which is filled by electron released from

    1. $H _2O$
    2. $CO _2$

    3. Chlorophyll

    4. Light
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    A Correct answer
    Explanation

    Non-cyclic phosphorylation involves both Photosystem I and Photosystem II. These two photosystems work in series, first PS II and then PS I. The two photosystems are connected through an electron transport chain. $NADPH$ is synthesized by this kind of electron flow. Electrons are transferred from the PS II and then passed on to the pigments of PS I. Then, electrons get excited and transferred to another acceptor. These electrons are then moved downhill again to a molecule of $NADP^{+}$. The addition of these electrons results in the formation of $NADPH$. Extrusion of the electron from reaction centre of PS II leaves a hole which is filled by electron released from $H _{2}O$. This is achieved by electrons available due to the splitting of water. The water splitting complex is associated with PS II, which itself is physically located on the inner side of the membrane of the thylakoid. Water is split into $H^{+}$, $O$ and electrons. The protons and oxygen formed by splitting of water is released within the lumen of the thylakoids. The oxygen produced is released as one of the net products of photosynthesis.

    $2H _{2}O$ $\longrightarrow$ $4H^{+}$ + $O _{2}$ + $4e^{-}$