Question

A plant is experimented on twice. In the first experiment, it is placed in an aquarium under sunlight. In the second experiment, the plant is placed in an aquarium in total darkness. Gas bubbles form around the plant in both cases.

Which option correctly describes the kind of gases that form in light and dark environments?

Responses

light: carbon dioxide
dark: Oxygen

light: oxygen, carbon dioxide
dark: Oxygen

light: oxygen, carbon dioxide
dark: carbon dioxide

light: carbon dioxide
dark: carbon dioxide

Answer 1

In the light, plants produce oxygen and some carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. In the dark, plants release carbon dioxide as a byproduct of respiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the presence of sunlight, plants undergo photosynthesis, a process that converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂). Thus, in the light environment, the gas bubbles formed around the plant would mainly consist of oxygen (O₂) and some carbon dioxide (CO₂).

However, in a dark environment where there is no photosynthesis, plants respire instead of performing photosynthesis. During respiration, plants take in oxygen (O₂) and release carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a byproduct. Therefore, in the dark environment, the gas bubbles formed around the plant would consist mainly of carbon dioxide (CO₂).