Photosynthesis In Higher Plants Question 106

Question: Assertion : The concentration of $ O_2 $ in the atmosphere is inhibitory to photosynthesis. Reason : Oxygen inhibitory effect is due to Warburg effect.

Options:

A) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion

B) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion

C) If the assertion is true but the reason is false

D) If both the assertion and reason are false

Show Answer

Answer:

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Small quantity of oxygen is essential for photosynthesis except in some anaerobic bacteria.

The inhibition of photosynthesis at high $ O_2 $ levels may be due to (i) Oxygen takes part in oxidation of photosynthetic pigments, intermediates and enzymes in the presence of strong light (photo-oxidation), (ii) Oxygen is a strong quencher of excited state of chlorophyll, (iii) It converts RuBP carboxylase to RuBP-oxygen.

At a very high oxygen content the rate of photosynthesis begins to decline in all plants.

The phenomenon is called Warburg effect (reduction due to photorespiration).