Question

Each spring, farmers plant about 5-10 kg of seed corn per acre for commercial corn production. By the fall, this same acre of corn will yield approximately 4-5 metric tons of harvested corn. Which of the following processes causes this huge increase in biomass from tiny seeds to large corn plants?

A) Conversion of nitrogen from the soil into plant proteins.
B) Extraction of minerals and nutrients from the soil by the roots.
C) Incorporation of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into organic molecules in the leaves.
D) Absorption of sunlight by the chlorophyll in the leaves for energy production.

Answer 1

The dramatic increase in biomass for corn from planting to harvest is primarily driven by photosynthesis, where cC. arbon dioxide is converted into organic molecules, contributing hugely to the mass of the corn plants.

Step-by-step explanation:

The huge increase in biomass from tiny seed corn to large corn plants over the growing season is primarily caused by the process of incorporating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into organic molecules in the leaves, also known as photosynthesis. While nitrogen fixation, extraction of minerals, and absorption of sunlight are all necessary for crop growth, it is photosynthesis, specifically through the C4 pathway used by corn, that contributes most significantly to biomass production. In this process, corn plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, with the help of chlorophyll, thereby generating the substantial biomass observed in commercial corn production.

• Conversion of nitrogen from the soil into plant proteins does impact growth, but it does not contribute to the bulk of biomass production.
• Extraction of minerals and nutrients is essential for plant health but doesn't directly result in the significant biomass increase.
• Absorption of sunlight by chlorophyll provides energy but is just a component of the complete photosynthesis process.

SUMUP of the final answer:

1. Photosynthesis is the key process leading to the increase in biomass.
2. Carbon dioxide incorporation into organic molecules is crucial.
3. C4 photosynthetic pathway in corn is highly efficient.