Photosynthesis Practice Examination/Instructor: Mr. Buckley
Choose the statement which best completes each of the following statements or answers
each of the following questions.
1. The dark reaction is given its name because (1.) it does not require light (2.) light
inhibits its functioning (3.) it is poorly understood (4.) it involves dark pigments
2. Photophosphorylation involves ATP (1.) production during the light reaction of
photosynthesis
(2.) breakdown during the light reaction of photosynthesis
(3.) formation during the dark reaction of photosynthesis
(4.) breakdown during the dark reaction of photosynthesis
3. The net equation for photosynthesis produces (1.) water and carbon dioxide (2.) water
and oxygen (3.) carbohydrate and carbon dioxide (4.) carbohydrate and oxygen
4. As far as the light reaction of photosynthesis is concerned, what is the role of oxygen?
(1.) It is a necessary reactant. (2.) It is a waste product.
(3.) It is a product that is then utilized in the dark reaction.
(4.) It is not involved as a product or a reactant.
5. The essential initial role of light in initiating the light reaction of photosynthesis is to
produce
(1.) free neutrons (2.) free electrons (3.) free oxygen (4.) ATP
6. The chief purpose of the dark reaction of photosynthesis is the production of (1.)
oxygen (2.) NADP+ (3.) carbohydrate (4.) carbon dioxide
7. Quantitatively more photosynthesis occurs in (1.) tropical rainforests (2.) the temperate
zones (3.) fresh water (4.) the oceans
8. The Hatch-Slack pathway is (1.) another name for the Calvin Cycle (2.) better known
than the Calvin Cycle (3.) a relatively new discovery (4.) the source of triose sugars
9. Photorespiration refers to (1.) mitochondrial respiration in photosynthetic organisms
(2.) nonmitochondrial respiration associated with photosynthesis (3.) oxygen production
during photosynthesis (4.) mitochondrial respiration induced by light
10. The function of water in photosynthesis is to
(1.) combine with carbon dioxide (2.) absorb light energy
(3.) supply electrons in the light-dependent reactions
(4.) transport H+ ions in the light-independent (dark) reactions
(5.) provide molecular oxygen for the light-independent (dark) reactions
11. All the following statements are correct regarding the light-independent (dark)
reactions of
photosynthesis EXCEPT:
(1.) The energy source utilized is the ATP and NADPH obtained through the light
reaction.
(2.) The reaction begins soon after sundown and ends before sunrise.
(3.) The five carbon sugar is constantly being regenerated.
(4.) One of the end products is PGAL.
(5.) The pathway used is usually a 3-carbon pathway, although a 4-carbon pathway does
exist in some species.
12. The most stable form of chemical energy converted from sunlight energy is found in
(1.) glucose (2.) pyruvic acid (3.) oxaloacetate (4.) carbon dioxide (5.) none of these
13. The fixation of carbon dioxide into energy rich glucose occurs during
(1.) glycolysis (2.) the Krebs citric acid cycle (3.) noncyclic photophosphorylation
(4.) the Calvin cycle (5.) the electron transport system production of ATP
14. It is currently believed that the specific enzymes necessary for the fixation of carbon
dioxide
into energy rich glucose are located in the (1.) lysosomes (2.) ribosomes
(3.) mitochondrial cristae (4.) chloroplast grana (5.) chloroplast stroma
15. The anabolic process in which sunlight energy and water are utilized and molecular
oxygen is produced is (1.) photosystem I. (2.) photosystem II. (3.) glycolysis (4.) Krebs
cycle (5.) the respiratory chain
16. Which of these is a function of cuticle in a plant?
(1.) To direct chromosomes during meiosis.
(2.) To form a barrier to water loss on the leaf surface.
(3.) To provide a cue for stoma opening and closing.
(4.) To store the energy of photosynthesis in the form of chemical bonds.
(5.) Transporting minerals from the roots.
17. In the conversion of energy-poor carbon dioxide into energy rich glucose
(1.) ATP is used (2.) pyruvic acid is produced (3.) molecular oxygen is produced
(4.) ATP is produced (5.) NADPH2 is produced
18. The cristae membrane is to respiratory chain enzymes as the thylakoid membrane is
to
(1.) glycolytic enzymes (2.) proteolytic enzymes (3.) Calvin cycle enzymes
(4.) photosystem I and II enzymes
19. Which statement is FALSE?
(1.) Photosynthesis is initiated by the absorption of light energy by chlorophyll
molecules.
(2.) The chlorophyll molecules of illuminated chloroplasts are raised to a higher energy
level.
(3.) The biochemical activities of the light reaction occur in the grana. (4.) Some of the
energy of the excited electrons is used to split carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen.
20. Which statement concerning chloroplasts is FALSE?
(1.) They make insufficient amounts of ATP to drive the photosynthetic process.
(2.) They have DNA separate from nucleic DNA.
(3.) They contain grana.
(4.) They have their own ribosomes.
(5.) They can function outside a cell.
21. By using the isotope oxygen-18 as a tracer element, it has been possible to show that
the oxygen
released in photosynthesis comes from
(1.) oxygen-16 (2.) carbon dioxide (3.) water (4.) carbon dioxide and water
22. Englemann's experiment with Spirogyra demonstrated that
(1.) the full spectrum of sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis
(2.) only red wavelengths are effective in causing photosynthesis (3.) both red and blue
wavelengths are most effective in causing photosynthesis
(4.) only green wavelengths are effective in photosynthesis
(5.) both green and red wavelengths are effective in photosynthesis
23. The role of the accessory pigments such as the phycobilins in photosynthesis is to
(1.) absorb and pass energy to chlorophyll a light traps (2.) fix carbon dioxide
(3.) carry hydrogen or electrons (4.) donate electrons to the electron transport chain
24. The dark reactions of photosynthesis produce
(1.) hexose sugars (2.) carbon dioxide (3.) ATP (4.) all of the previous substances
25. Photolysis of water refers to (1.) diffusion of water in the chloroplast
(2.) the role of water as an electron acceptor (3.) the breakdown of the water molecule in
the light reactions
(4.) none of the above
Match each the statements below from number 26 through 33 with a term from the list
provided below.
(1.) photon
(2.) ATP
(3.) pyruvic acid
(4.) PGAL
(5.) oxaloacetate
(6.) Calvin
(7.) Kelvin
(8.) light
(9.) P-680
(10.) water
(11.) P-715
(12.) P-700
(13.) stroma
(14.) temperature
(15.) RDP
(16.) carbon dioxide fixation
(17.) thylakoids
(18.) cristae
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------26. A major three carbon compound in the C-3 cycle
.
27. An indivisible unit of light (electromagnetic) energy.
28. Source of electrons for P-680 in noncyclic electron flow.
29. A major researcher of the C-3 reaction.
30. The main purpose of the C-3 cycle.
31. The five carbon compound which is a starting product in the C-3 cycle of
photosynthesis.
32. This four carbon compound is the major starting product in the C-4 cycle of
photosynthesis.
33. The dark reaction occurs in this part of the chloroplast.
34. Select the statement that is correct.
(1.) Photosynthesis is a catabolic process that breaks down glucose.
(2.) The Calvin Cycle requires molecular carbon dioxide, ATP, and molecular oxygen in
order to manufacture glucose.
(3.) Glycolysis is aerobic during fermentation.
(4.) Most of the ATP in cellular respiration is produced anaerobically.
(5.) The Calvin cycle is a light-independent metabolism.
35. Photosynthesis is the process by which
1. the potential energy of glucose is transferred to ATP molecules
2. glucose is gradually broken down to form lactic acid or alcohol
3. two glucose molecules combine to form maltose and water
4. light energy is converted into the chemical energy of glucose
36. A green plant is kept in a brightly lighted area for 48 hours. What will most likely
occur if the light intensity is then reduced slightly during the next 48 hours?
1. Photosynthesis will stop completely.
2. The rate at which nitrogen is used by the plant will increase.
3. The rate at which oxygen is released from the plant will decrease.
4. Glucose production inside each plant cell will increase.
37. Much of the carbon dioxide produced by algae is not excreted as a metabolic waste
because it
1. can be used for photosynthesis 2. cannot pass through cell membranes
3. is needed for aerobic respiration 4. is used for the hydrolysis of proteins
38. Four identical groups of geranium plants were grown under conditions that were the
same except for the color of light.
The least amount of oxygen would be produced by those plants grown in
1. red light 2. white light 3. violet light 4. green light
39.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Which activity occurs in the process of photosynthesis?
Chemical energy from organic molecules is converted into light energy.
Organic molecules are obtained from the environment.
Organic molecules are converted into inorganic food molecules.
Light energy is converted into the chemical energy of organic molecules.
40. Most of the food and oxygen in the environment is produced by the action of
1. saprophytic bacteria 2. heterotrophic bacteria 3. aerobic protozoans
4. autotrophic organisms
41 What does the process of photosynthesis produce?
1. starch, which is metabolized into less complex molecules by dehydration synthesis
2. protein, which is metabolized into less complex molecules by dehydration synthesis
3. glycerol, which is metabolized into more complex molecules by dehydration synthesis
4. glucose, which is metabolized into more complex molecules by dehydration synthesis
42. Plants store carbohydrates in the form of 1. amino acids 2. fatty acids
3. starch 4. nucleic acids
43. Which of the following photosynthetic reactions describe the reactions in which
photolysis occurs?
1. Photochemical reactions, only 2. Carbon-fixation reactions, only
3. Both photochemical and carbon-fixation reactions
44. Which organisms are not able to make organic molecules from inorganic raw
materials? 1. mushrooms 2. algae
3. bryophytes 4. tracheophytes
45. Eating a sweet potato provides energy for human metabolic processes. The original
source of this energy is the energy
1. in protein molecules stored within the potato 2. from starch molecules absorbed by
the potato plant
3. made available by photosynthesis 4. in vitamins and minerals found in the soil
46. Which reactions are involved in the process of photosynthesis?
1. photochemical reactions, only 2. carbon-fixation reactions, only
3. both photochemical and carbon-fixation reactions
4. neither photochemical nor carbon-fixation reactions
47. An inorganic molecule required by green plants for the process of photosynthesis is
1. oxygen 2. starch 3. carbon dioxide 4. glucose
48. Which of the following photosynthetic reactions describe the reactions in which the
radioactive isotope carbon-14
can be used to trace the chemical pathway of the carbon in carbon dioxide 1.
Photochemical reactions, only
2. Carbon-fixation reactions, only 3. Both photochemical and carbon-fixation
reactions
49.
Base your answer on the diagram which represents some of the events that take place in a
chloroplast and on your knowledge of biology. Chlorophyll is most closely associated
with the chemical events that involve the 1. production of gas D 2. absorption of gas E
3. use of compound C 4. contents of region F
50. The graph represents the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll. The graph indicates that
the energy used in photosynthesis is most likely obtained from which regions of the
spectrum? 1. yellow and orange red 2. violet blue and green 3. orange red and violet
blue
4. green and yellow
51. A green plant is kept in a brightly lighted area for 48 hours. What will most likely
occur if the light intensity is then reduced slightly during the next 48 hours? 1.
Photosynthesis will stop completely. 2. The rate at which nitrogen is used by the plant
will increase.
3. The rate at which oxygen is released from the plant will decrease. 4. Glucose
production inside each plant cell will increase.
52. Much of the carbon dioxide produced by algae is not excreted as a metabolic waste
because it
1. can be used for photosynthesis 2. cannot pass through cell membranes
3. is needed for aerobic respiration 4. is used for the hydrolysis of proteins
53. Photosynthesis is the process by which 1. the potential energy of glucose is
transferred to ATP molecules
2. glucose is gradually broken down to form lactic acid or alcohol
3. two glucose molecules combine to form maltose and water
4. light energy is converted into the chemical energy of glucose
54. Base your answer on the diagram which represents some of the events that take place
in a chloroplast and on your knowledge of biology. If C represents PGAL, gas E would
most likely represent 1. O2 2. N2 3. CO2 4. H2O
55. Four identical groups of geranium plants were grown under conditions that were the
same except for the color of light. The least amount of oxygen would be produced by
those plants grown in 1. red light 2. white light 3. violet light 4. green light
56. Which activity occurs in the process of photosynthesis?
1. Chemical energy from organic molecules is converted into light energy.
2. Organic molecules are obtained from the environment.
3. Organic molecules are converted into inorganic food molecules.
4. Light energy is converted into the chemical energy of organic molecules.
57. Most of the food and oxygen in the environment is produced by the action of
1. saprophytic bacteria 2. heterotrophic bacteria
3. aerobic protozoans 4. autotrophic organisms
58. What does the process of photosynthesis produce?
1. starch, which is metabolized into less complex molecules by dehydration synthesis
2. protein, which is metabolized into less complex molecules by dehydration synthesis
3. glycerol, which is metabolized into more complex molecules by dehydration synthesis
4. glucose, which is metabolized into more complex molecules by dehydration synthesis
59. Plants store carbohydrates in the form of
1. amino acids
2. fatty acids 3. starch
4. nucleic acids
60. In the setup shown above in the diagram, which color light will cause the plant to
produce the smallest number of gas bubbles?
1. red 2. orange 3. blue 4. green
61. An organism was added to a test tube containing water, which was then sealed and
placed in sunlight. The graph above shows an increase in the oxygen content of the test
tube over a period of time. Which type of organism was most probably added to the test
tube?
1. fresh-water animal 2. green alga 3. ameba 4. virus
62. A green plant is kept in a lighted area for 48 hours. What will most likely occur if the
light intensity is increased slightly during the next 48 hours?
1. Photosynthesis will stop completely.
2. The rate at which nitrogen is used by the plant will decrease.
3. The rate at which oxygen is released from the plant will decrease.
4. Glucose production inside each plant cell will increase.
63. Which organisms are not able to make organic molecules from inorganic raw
materials? 1. mushrooms 2. algae
3. bryophytes 4. tracheophytes
64. Eating a sweet potato provides energy for human metabolic processes. The original
source of this energy is the energy
1. in protein molecules stored within the potato 2. from starch molecules absorbed by the
potato plant
3. made available by photosynthesis 4. in vitamins and minerals found in the soil
65. Why is the organism in the diagram above considered a heterotroph rather than an
autotroph?
1. It manufactures its own food. 2. It divides by mitosis.
3. It transforms light energy into chemical energy.
4. It absorbs preformed organic molecules.
66. Which reactions are involved in the process of photosynthesis?
1. photochemical reactions, only 2. carbon-fixation reactions, only
3. both photochemical and carbon-fixation reactions
4. neither photochemical nor carbon-fixation reactions
67. An inorganic molecule required by green plants for the process of photosynthesis is
1. oxygen 2. starch
3. carbon dioxide 4. glucose
68. If the leaves of a geranium plant receive an adequate supply of raw materials, which
graph below shows how the rate of photosynthesis is related to increasing light intensity
received by the plant?
69. Which of the following photosynthetic reactions describe the reactions in which the
radioactive isotope carbon-14 can be used to trace the chemical pathway of the carbon in
carbon dioxide 1. Photochemical reactions, only 2. Carbon-fixation reactions, only
3. Both photochemical and carbon-fixation reactions
True/False Section
1. The wavelengths of light most effective in photosynthesis are those in the green part of
the visible spectrum.
2. Bundle sheath cells are associated chiefly with C-3 photosynthesis and contain many
chloroplasts.
3. CAM metabolism is chiefly associated with plants in cool, moist climates.
4. C-3 photosynthesis is more recent on an evolutionary scale than C-4 or CAM
photosynthesis.
5. Oxaloacetate and aspartate are compounds in the C-4 cycle of photosynthesis.
6. Oxaloacetate differs from RDP in that oxaloacetate is a four carbon compound.
7. CAM plants open their stoma at night and convert the carbon dioxide they take in to
organic acids.
8. Sugar cane and some succulent plants carry on C-4 photosynthesis.
9. Green plants do not carry on aerobic respiration.
10. Two major compounds found in the light reactions of photosynthesis are the five
carbon
compound PGAL and the three carbon compound RDP.
[Essay Question] (12 pts.)
Choose either essay # 1 or essay # 2. Answer all parts of the question you choose as
completely as possible.
1. (a.) List two advantages C-4 metabolism appears to have over C-3 photosynthesis
metabolism
in plants. (6 pts.)
(b.) List an advantage and a disadvantage of CAM metabolism in those plants utilizing
this method. (6 pts.)
2. The cell is a unit of biological activity that is delimited by a semipermeable membrane
and is
capable of self-reproduction in a medium free from other living systems. "Plastids
and mitochondria were originally free-living prokaryotes that early in evolution that
took up
residence inside eukaryotic cells."
(a.) Describe the structure of both the chloroplast and mitochondrion. State the function
of each in the cell with particular reference to what goes on where. (6 pts.)
(b.) Describe the evidence that supports the quote above. (6 pts.)
Link to the Photosynthesis Exam Answer Key
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Essay Question Answers
1. (a.) C-4 plants are able to maximize photorespiration by using intense sunlight more
efficiently to enhance sugar production.
(b.) Plants engaging in CAM metabolism are able to fix all the carbon dioxide they
use
in the form of organic acids at night. This allows these plants to close their
stomata
during the day to conserve water. A disadvantage is that by only opening their
stomata at night, these plants have a slower rate of photosynthesis that either
C-3 or C-4 plants.
2. (a.) Both the chloroplast and mitochondrion contain an inner membrane in addition
to
their outer membrane. The inner membrane of the chloroplast or thylakoid is
where
the major events of the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur. The
dark
reactions of photosynthesis occur outside the thylakoids in the stroma fluid of
the
outer compartment. The inner membrane of the mitochondrion is called the
cristae.
The major events involving the electron transport chain and the chemiosmotic
synthesis of ATP occur here in the process of cellular respiration. (The actual
synthesis of ATP in this process occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.)
(b.) Both the mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA which is
independent
of the DNA in the nuclei of the cells they are found in. This circular DNA is
very
similar to that found in bacteria. The concept of serial endosymbiosis states
that
mitochondria and chloroplasts were small endosymbionts living in a larger cell
that
were eventually taken over by that cell. Chloroplasts and mitochondria can
replicate
independently in cells to this day by a process similar to binary fission in
bacteria.
Ribosomal RNA in chloroplasts and mitochondria are similar to that of bacteria
as well.