A researcher observes that a plant placed in a sealed chamber shows a net decrease in CO2 levels during the day but a net increase at night. What can be inferred about the metabolic processes occurring?
The plant is only respiring, both day and night.
The plant is only photosynthesizing, both day and night.
Photosynthesis exceeds respiration during the day, while respiration exceeds photosynthesis at night.
Respiration exceeds photosynthesis during the day, while photosynthesis exceeds respiration at night.
Related Questions
The respiratory quotient (RQ) of a plant is measured to be 1. Which substrate is MOST likely being primarily metabolized?
Fats
Proteins
Organic acids
Carbohydrates
How do plants obtain the oxygen required for respiration at night when photosynthesis is not occurring?
They store oxygen produced during the day
They switch to anaerobic respiration
Through lenticels and diffusion from air spaces within the plant
They do not respire at night
Which specific adaptation allows some plants to minimize water loss while still facilitating gas exchange for respiration?
Increased leaf surface area
Absence of stomata
Continuous, high rates of transpiration
Stomatal opening primarily at night in CAM plants