Question

In the context of the statement "chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis" answer the following questions:

1. What are variegated leaves? Give an example.
2. When leaf is boiled in alcohol, what happens to the colour of the leaf and the colour of the solution?
3. In what form is the carbohydrate produced, stored in the plant ? Why is chlorophyll necessary for photosynthesis?

Answer 1

1. Variegated Leaves: Variegated leaves show multiple colours, typically a combination of green, white, yellow, or other pigments. Coleus plants exhibit colour variations due to differences in chlorophyll concentration or the presence of other pigments.
2. Boiling Leaf in Alcohol: Boiling a leaf in alcohol extracts chlorophyll, causing its colour to fade. Chlorophyll pigment dissolves in an alcohol solution, causing it to turn green. 
3. Carbohydrate Storage in Plants: Plants store carbohydrates produced during photosynthesis, such as starch, in storage organs, such as roots, tubers, and seeds.

Chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis because:

1. Chlorophyll is a key pigment in photosynthesis. It absorbs sunlight and converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
2. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll plays a role in photochemical processes in chloroplast thylakoid membranes.
3. Plants rely on chlorophyll to capture and utilize the light energy necessary for photosynthesis. This process produces organic chemicals that provide energy for plants and other organisms in the food chain.