Final answer:
While parenchyma cells in plants do store food and contribute to photosynthesis, they are not the main sites for photosynthesis, which occurs predominantly in the leaves. These cells are versatile, assisting in various metabolic functions and can be found throughout the plant's structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that parenchyma cells help in the storage of food is correct. Parenchyma cells are found in various parts of the plant such as the stem, root, inside of the leaf, and the pulp of the fruit. These cells are versatile in their functions; they can store starch and are involved in a plant's metabolic activities like photosynthesis and wound healing. However, the reason provided that parenchyma cells are the main seats of photosynthesis is not entirely accurate. While parenchyma cells in the leaves do contain chloroplasts and contribute to photosynthesis, the main sites for photosynthesis are the leaves themselves, specifically the mesophyll cells within the leaves.
Plant cells, including parenchyma cells, have a cell wall mainly composed of cellulose, which protects the cell and provides structural support. The chloroplasts, present in some parenchyma cells, capture light energy and, with water and carbon dioxide, produce glucose for the plant through the photosynthesis process which can be represented by the formula 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + 686 kcal → C6H12O6 + 6 O2. Finally, ground tissue, which includes parenchyma cells, is crucial in plants as it carries out basic metabolic functions, offers support, and stores nutrients.