A scientist did an experiment using a chemical inhibitor that stops photosynthesis for a certain type of plant. He grew two plants, giving the chemical to one plant and not to the other. Both plants were given equal amounts of water and sunlight. He then measured the growth of both plants as shown in the table below.

Question

Date Height of
Control Plant
(cm) Height of Plant
Treated With
Chemical Inhibitor
(cm)
June 5 8.3 8.6
June 7 8.7 8.7
June 9 9.2 8.7
June 11 9.6 8.7

Why did the plant that could not photosynthesize stop growing?
A.
It did not have enough light to grow.
B.
It did not have enough food for building materials.
C.
It did not have enough other plants to consume for food.
D.
It did not have enough water to grow.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

B. It did not have enough food for building materials.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose (a sugar that serves as food) and oxygen. The plant treated with the chemical inhibitor could not photosynthesize, meaning it could not produce the glucose it needs for growth and development. Without adequate food derived from photosynthesis, the plant's growth would be stunted.