Thirty corn seedlings of equal size were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. At the beginning of the experiment, the plants in group I were dried and the mass was determined. The plants in group ll were maintained in light for a week. the plants in group lll were maintained in the dark for a week. AP BIology FRQ
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Thirty corn seedlings of equal size were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. At the beginning of the experiment, the plants in group I were dried and the mass was determined. The plants in group II were maintained in light for a week. The plants in group III were maintained in the dark for a week. All conditions, other than light, were the same for groups II and III. At the end of the week, the plants in groups II and III were dried and the mass was determined.

To explain the increase in mass of the light-grown plants, identify ONE inorganic source of new plant mass and connect it to the cellular process underlying the increase in mass.

To explain the decrease in mass of the dark-grown plants, identify the overall chemical reaction that is occurring in the plant cells and connect it to the cellular process underlying the decrease in mass.

Basically, one inorganic source of new plant mass for the plants in group II would be carbon dioxide. The increase in mass is due to the fixation of carbon dioxide into carbohydrates in a process known as photosynthesis.

During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide combines with water in a series of reactions requiring radiant energy to generate carbohydrates. The summary of the reaction is in the equation below:

There is a decrease in plant mass in group III because carbohydrates are been lost much more than it is being generated, if at all. The absence of light makes it difficult for carbohydrates to be synthesized via photosynthesis while respiration ensures that carbohydrates are being lost.

During respiration, carbohydrates are burned to generate energy in the form of ATP in a series of reactions whose summary is in the equation below:

More on photosynthesis and respiration can be found here: link

The plants in group ll were maintained in light for a week and produces higher biomass.

Explanation:

The plants in group ll were maintained in light for a week produces higher biomass as compared to two other plants because photosynthesis occurs due to the presence of light. if light is available to plants, the plant produce glucose and this glucose is responsible in the increase of size and weight of the plant so that's why we can say that the plants present in group ll produces higher biomass.