Question

some plants, like potato plants, store large amounts of energy in specialized tubers in the form of starch. starch is a large macromolecule comprised of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. starches are stored in these tubers for the plants to use when needed for energy. which claim best explains how starches are likely formed? a claim: the elements needed to form the large molecules of starch are absorbed from the sun by the plant’s leaves. b claim: the elements in glucose bonded with other glucose elements to form large molecules of starch. c claim: the elements needed to form the large molecules of starch are consumed by the plant. d claim: the elements in glucose bonded with other elements from the soil to form large molecules of starch.

Explanation:

To determine how starches are formed, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Plants absorb energy from the sun via chloroplasts (for photosynthesis), but the elements for starch (C, H, O) come from CO₂ and H₂O, not directly "absorbed from the sun" as elements. So A is incorrect.
• Option B: Starch is a polysaccharide made of glucose monomers. Glucose molecules (monomers) link together (polymerize) to form large starch molecules (polymers). This matches the process of polymerization of glucose units.
• Option C: "Consumed by the plant" is vague and doesn't describe the actual formation process (polymerization of glucose). So C is incorrect.
• Option D: The elements in glucose (C, H, O) form starch by linking with other glucose molecules, not "other elements from the sun". The sun provides energy for photosynthesis to make glucose, not elements for starch formation beyond what's in glucose. So D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. Claim: The elements in glucose interact with other glucose elements to form large molecules of starch.