Question

unit 1 cumulative test (characteristics of life, biomolecules, cell structure) 15 of 42 a plant stores energy in the form of starch. during a drought, it begins breaking down this starch. why is this process important for the plant’s survival? ∘ it allows the plant to produce proteins for growth. ∘ it provides glucose for energy for cellular processes. ∘ it increases water retention in the cells. ∘ it helps the plant absorb more sunlight.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: Starch breakdown doesn't directly produce proteins. Protein synthesis involves different processes (like using amino acids), so this is incorrect.
• Analyze Option 2: Starch is a polysaccharide made of glucose units. When broken down, starch releases glucose, which is used in cellular respiration to produce ATP (energy) for the plant's cellular processes. During a drought, the plant may not be able to photosynthesize enough, so using stored starch for energy is vital.
• Analyze Option 3: Starch breakdown has no direct relation to water retention in cells. Mechanisms for water retention (like osmosis, vacuole function) are separate from starch metabolism.
• Analyze Option 4: Starch breakdown doesn't affect how much sunlight a plant absorbs. Sunlight absorption is related to chlorophyll, leaf structure, etc., not starch metabolism.

Answer:

B. It provides glucose for energy for cellular processes.