CBSE

Class 12 Biology
Important Questions
Chapter 13
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

2 Marks Questions

1.What is red Drop?

Ans. It is the occasional fall in photosynthetic yield beyond red region of spectrum. This is
also called Emerson effect.

2.What are the enzymes that catalyze the dark reaction of carbon fixation located?

Ans. The stroma contains enzymes which are capable of utilizing ATP and NADPH2 to

produce carbohydrate during dark reaction. The carbon fixation occurs in the stroma by a
series of enzymes catalysed steps which are located outside the thylakoids.

3.What are the two main functions of pigments other than chlorophyll in green leaves?

Ans. (i) To absorb light energy and transfer it to chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

(ii) To protect the chlorophyll molecule from photo oxidation.

4.Differentiate between respiration and photorespiration.

Ans.

Respiration Photorespiration

1. It occurs in all plants (C3 and C4) It occurs in C3 plants only.

Glycolate is the substrate which is connected

2. Glucose is the substrate of this reaction.
into Glycine, NH3 and CO2 in peroxisomes.

5.Explain the role of water in photosynthesis.

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Ans. (i) It is a reactant in light reaction.

(ii) Water stress causes closure of stomata.

(iii) It reduces the availability of CO2

(iv) Reduces surface area of leaves.

6.What is the law of limiting factor?

Ans. This law states that “if a chemical process is affected by more than one factor which is
nearest to its minimal value; then the rate will be determined by the factor which is nearest
to its minimal value; it is the factor that directly affects process if its quantity is changed”.

7.Compare between chlorophyll ‘a’ and chlorophyll ‘b’?

Ans.

Chlorophyll a Chlorophyll b
Chlorophyll a has methyl group at the It has an aldhyde group at the 3rd carbon
1. 3rd carbon position of II pyrrole ring of position of II pyrrole ring or porphyrin
porphyrin head. head.
It shows maximum absorption at 429 It shaves maximum absorption at 453 nm
2.
nm (blue) and 660 nm (red) wavelength. (blue) and 642 nm (red) wavelengths.
3. It is highly soluble in petroleum, ether. It is highly soluble in methyl alcohol.
4. It is blue – green in colors. It is yellow green in colors.

8.What is kranz anatomy?

Ans. Kranz Anatomy – The anatomy in which, the vein of the leaf is surrounded by the
bundle sheath containing a member of chloroplasts, having a bull form cells in upper
epidermis is known as “Kranz anatomy”.

9.Give advantages of C4 cycle over C3 Cycle.

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Ans. (i) C4 cycle is more efficient than C3 cycle.

(ii) The photorespiration is lacking in C4 plants.

(iii) C4 cycle can use CO2 at very low concentrations in comparison to C3 plants.

(iv) C4 cycle operates in plants adapted to high integrity of light, high temperature and low

water availability, C3 cycle cannot operate under these conditions at all.

10. Why does the rate of photosynthesis decline in the presence of continuous light?

Ans. Increase in incident light beyond point causes the breakdown of chlorophyll.

11. Why do green plants start evolving carbon dioxide instead of oxygen on a hot sunny
day?

Ans. On a hot sunny day, enzyme RuBP carhoxylase becomes active and its affinity for CO
decreases and to increases. Cons more and more photosynthetically fixed carbon is lost by
photorespiration.

12. Fit! in the space, left blank in the given table to bring the difference between C3 and

C4 plants:

S.No Characterisitcs plants plants

1. …..(a)…. And mesophy II

Cell type Mesophy II
2. Phosphoenol pyruvate
acceptor ……(b)…….
(PEP)

3. …….(c)……….
First fixation product 3- PGA

Optimum temperature ……(d)…………
4.

Ans. (a) Bundle sheath

(b) RuBP

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(c) OAA (oxaloacetic acid)

(d)

13. State two functions of accessory pigments found in thylakoids.

Ans. (a) Absorption of light and transfer of energy to chlorophyll ‘a’.

(b) Protect chlorophyll ‘a’ from photooxidation.

14. Why do plants are more expensive than plants.

Ans. Because they require more energy (30 ATPs) in synthesizing one glucose molecule as
compared to (18 ATPs.)

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