Question

A pond near the school was used in a study. Water was collected, and tests were run, including a pH test. The tests over a period of six weeks indicated that the pH was increasing. What cellular process is the green aquatic plant most likely carrying out that would result in an increase in the pH of water?

A) Respiration
B) Photosynthesis
C) Fermentation
D) Mitosis

Answer 1

The increase in pH of the pond water is most likely due to the photosynthesis process carried out by green aquatic plants, as they consume CO2 and increase the basicity of the water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The green aquatic plant is most likely carrying out photosynthesis, which would result in an increase in the pH of the water. During photosynthesis, plants consume carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen (O2) as a byproduct. The removal of CO2, which forms carbonic acid when dissolved in water, will reduce the acidity of the water and thereby increase the pH, creating a more basic environment. This is opposite to the process of respiration, fermentation, or mitosis, which do not have the same effect on pH levels. Supporting this, environments with high algal blooms due to photosynthesis exhibited higher pH owing to this same principle.