Question

unit 3.1 quiz - due 11/24
use the information in the table below to answer the question.
which statement best explains why the new plant type shows slower growth than the normal plant?
the new plant has fewer leaves, so it absorbs more sunlight and produces more glucose.
the new plant produces less sugar, which limits the energy available for growth and leaf development.
the new plant produces the same amount of sugar as the normal plant but uses it more quickly.
the new plant absorbs too much water, causing its leaves to stay smaller.

Explanation:

• Analyze the plant growth observations: The normal plant has 1.1 leaves on average, 2cm wide and 3cm long leaves, and normal sugar in leaves/stems. The new plant has 0.8 leaves on average, smaller (1cm wide, 2cm long) leaves, and half the sugar of normal plants.
• Relate sugar (energy source from photosynthesis) to growth: Less sugar means less energy for processes like cell division/expansion (growth) and leaf formation (development). The other options are inconsistent: fewer leaves would absorb less sunlight (not more), the new plant has less sugar (not the same), and there's no info about water absorption affecting leaf size.

Answer:

The new plant produces less sugar, which limits the energy available for growth and leaf development.