Vi. What Is The Function Of The Central Vacuole A. Is The Command And Control Center Of The Plant Cell B. Is The Organelle Responsible For Photosynthesis C. Surrounds The Cell Membrane D Helps Keep The Cell Wall Rigid E. Takes In Carbon Dioxide For Photosynthesis 5. A. Define Nitrogen Fixation: B. Below Are Four Items That Are Necessary For Plants To Grow.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Answers
VI. What is the function of the central vacuole?
D. Helps keep the cell wall rigid
Explanation:
The central vacuole is a large, membrane-bound organelle found in plant cells. It plays a critical role in maintaining the structural integrity of the cell. By storing water and creating turgor pressure, the vacuole pushes the plasma membrane against the cell wall, keeping the plant cell rigid and helping the plant maintain its shape. This rigidity is essential for supporting the plant, especially in non-woody parts such as leaves and stems. Additionally, the vacuole stores nutrients, waste products, and other substances, serving as a repository for important molecules and a site for waste isolation. The maintenance of turgor pressure also plays a vital role in plant growth, as it influences cell elongation.
5A. Define nitrogen fixation:
Nitrogen fixation is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen (N₂), which is inert and unusable by most living organisms, is converted into ammonia (NH₃) or related compounds, making it biologically available to plants. This process is carried out by specific bacteria, such as Rhizobium, often in symbiosis with legumes, or by industrial processes such as the Haber-Bosch method.
Explanation:
Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth, as it is a key component of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. However, atmospheric nitrogen is chemically inert and cannot be directly utilized by plants. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria contain the enzyme nitrogenase, which catalyzes the conversion of N₂ into ammonia. This ammonia is then converted into nitrate or nitrite by soil microbes, which plants can absorb through their roots. Legumes, for instance, form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules, providing them with carbohydrates while receiving fixed nitrogen in return. This natural process reduces the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, promoting sustainable agriculture.
5B. Four items necessary for plants to grow:
- Sunlight – Provides energy for photosynthesis, which enables plants to produce glucose and oxygen.
- Water – Essential for photosynthesis, nutrient transport, and maintaining turgor pressure in cells.
- Carbon Dioxide – A raw material for photosynthesis, used to synthesize glucose.
- Nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) – Required for metabolic processes, growth, and cellular repair.
Explanation:
Plants require specific resources to thrive. Sunlight is the primary energy source that drives photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce their food. Water, absorbed through the roots, not only participates in photosynthesis but also helps transport nutrients throughout the plant and maintains cellular structure. Carbon dioxide, absorbed through stomata, is a key ingredient for photosynthesis, enabling the plant to build carbohydrates. Finally, soil nutrients like nitrogen (for protein synthesis), phosphorus (for energy transfer), and potassium (for enzyme activation) are critical for various physiological functions, including growth, reproduction, and stress resistance. Together, these elements form the foundation for healthy plant development.