Question

A research scientist designs an experiment to measure the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis, by mass, for a representative plant over a certain time. The scientist's predictions for the results are shown in the table.

Inputs and Outputs of Photosynthesis
Name/Mass (g)/Role

Carbon dioxide (CO2) /264/input
Water (H2O)/108/input
Sugar (C6H12O6)/180/output
Oxygen gas (O2) /192/output

If the scientist's predictions are shown to be accurate, then which conclusion about photosynthesis do they support? (HINT: Apply scientific principles such as the Law of Conservation of Mass.)
A.
All of the matter in water is converted into oxygen gas.
B.
All of the matter in carbon dioxide is converted into oxygen gas.
C.
All of the matter in carbon dioxide is converted into sugars.
D.
Some but not all of the matter in carbon dioxide is converted into sugars.

Answer 1

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is converted into sugars (C6H12O6). The output of sugars is less than the input of carbon dioxide, indicating that some of the carbon dioxide is used in other processes or stored in other forms within the plant. Therefore, the accurate results support the conclusion that only some of the matter in carbon dioxide is converted into sugars during photosynthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the predictions shown in the table, the accurate results support the conclusion that:

D. Some but not all of the matter in carbon dioxide is converted into sugars.

According to the Law of Conservation of Mass, matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. In photosynthesis, plants use carbon dioxide and water as inputs to produce sugar and oxygen gas as outputs. Looking at the predicted values in the table:

- Carbon dioxide (CO2) input: 264g

- Water (H2O) input: 108g

- Sugar (C6H12O6) output: 180g

- Oxygen gas (O2) output: 192g