photosynthesis includes processes that require light and procese that do not. Which statement best explains why adenosine triphosphate is used in both processes?
a
ATP is an enzyme, increasing the rate of photosynthesis and decreasing the need for water.
b
ATP is a building block of carbohydrates and stores energy as starch in plant cells.
c
ATP collects chemical energy from the cells, later to release as light energy.
d
ATP stores energy captured from sunlight to be used when producing sugars.
d
ATP stores energy captured from sunlight to be used when producing sugars.
The statement that best explains why adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is used in both processes of photosynthesis is option d: "ATP stores energy captured from sunlight to be used when producing sugars."
ATP serves as the primary energy source in the cell, and it is produced during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis through the process of photophosphorylation. This energy-rich molecule is then used during the light-independent reactions (also known as the Calvin cycle) to fuel the synthesis of sugars, such as glucose. As plants need a constant supply of energy to carry out both the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis, ATP functions as an intermediary molecule that stores energy captured from sunlight and is later utilized in the production of sugars.
To determine the correct answer, let's go through each option and explain its relevance to photosynthesis:
a) ATP is not an enzyme. It is an energy-carrying molecule involved in cellular energy transfer, specifically in the form of adenosine triphosphate. Additionally, ATP does not directly affect the rate of photosynthesis or decrease the need for water. Hence, option a is not the correct answer.
b) This statement is partially correct. ATP is indeed a building block of carbohydrates, but it does not store energy as starch in plant cells. Instead, carbohydrates like glucose are synthesized during photosynthesis and can be stored as starch. Therefore, option b is not the best explanation for why ATP is used in both light-dependent and light-independent reactions in photosynthesis.
c) ATP does not collect or store energy from cells for later release as light energy. Rather, ATP captures and stores chemical energy in its high-energy phosphate bonds, which can be transferred and utilized in cellular reactions requiring energy. Therefore, option c is not the correct answer.
d) This statement provides the most accurate explanation. ATP stores the energy that is captured from sunlight during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. This stored energy is then used during the light-independent (Calvin cycle) reactions to produce sugars such as glucose. Thus, option d is the best explanation for why adenosine triphosphate is used in both light-dependent and light-independent processes of photosynthesis.
Therefore, the correct answer is d) ATP stores energy captured from sunlight to be used when producing sugars.