41.7k views
2 votes
A group of plant cells were exposed to radiation, which damaged the chloroplasts and caused them to lose function. If the mitochondria were unharmed, what would happen to the overall function of the plant cells?

User Josep
by
6.1k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Plants are autotrophs which synthesize their own food through the process of photosynthesis. The chief organelle involved in photosythesis is the chloroplast. A chloroplast is a type of plastid containing the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll traps the light energy from the sun, using the carbon dioxide and water, organic compounds are synthesized by the plants. If the chloroplasts are damaged, it affects the photosynthesis by plant cells. Though the presence of intact mitochondria can support the plant cells with energy for metabolic activities of the plants for a short duration, the plant cells die in the absence of photosynthesis due to the damaged chloroplasts.

User Nicolet
by
6.1k points