Dry Mass of Change in Dry Initial Dry Mass of 10 Plants After Mass of 10 Plants Treatment Group Treatment
None
Light 10 Plants (g)One Week () Over One Week (
14.8 32.8 +18 Dark -3.1
Thirty corn seedlings of equal size were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. At the beginning of the experiment, the plants in group I were dried and the mass was determined. The plants in group II were maintained in light for a week. The plants in group III were maintained in the dark for a week. All conditions other than light, were the same for groups II and III. At the end of the week, the plants in groups II and III were dried and the mass was determined. The experimental results are provided in the table.
(a) To explain the increase in mass of the light-grown plants, identify ONE inorganic source of new plant mass and connect it to the cellular process underlying the increase in mass.
(b) To explain the decrease in mass of the dark-grown plants, identify the overall chemical reaction that is occurring in the plant cells and connect it to the cellular process underlying the decrease in mass.