A scientists performs an experiment by placing petroleum jelly on under side of plant leaves. This blocks the leaves stomata. The plant continues to be watered and is located in a sunny spot What will the scientist observe

Question

The plant withers and dies
The plant grows, flowers, and seeds
The plant goes into hibernation
The plant grows and thrives

Answer 1

In this experiment, the scientist is blocking the stomata of the plant leaves by applying petroleum jelly. Stomata are small openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange, particularly oxygen and carbon dioxide, as well as water vapor loss (transpiration).

By blocking the stomata, the plant will not be able to take in carbon dioxide effectively or release water vapor. As a result, the plant will likely struggle to perform photosynthesis and may also suffer from water retention and a lack of proper gas exchange.

Given these conditions, the most likely observation by the scientist would be "The plant withers and dies." This outcome results from the inability of the plant to perform essential processes for its survival due to the blocked stomata.