Question

A group of plant cells was 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? A. The cells would not be able to release energy from biomolecules, but would be able to make food. B. The cells would not be able to break down waste, but would be able to replicate DNA. C. The cells would not be able to make food, but would be able to release energy from biomolecules. D. The cells would not be able to replicate DNA, but would be able to break down waste.

Answer 1

The correct answer will be option C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chloroplasts are the organelle which is involved in the process of photosynthesis, the process by which food is made in the plant cell while mitochondria is an organelle which is associated with the formation of ATP molecules from substrate and release of energy.

According to the question, radiation caused the loss of function of chloroplast but not harmed the mitochondria it means that plant will not be able to perform photosynthesis and synthesize the food but it will have its mitochondria functional which perform cellular respiration and hence produce energy either by the breakdown of proteins or fatty acids.

Thus, option C is the correct answer.