Question

In the answer box, please type AGREE or DISAGREE after the letter of the statement for each of these three statements.

Then also provide a detailed explanation using the language of biology describing what about the statement is scientifically accurate or not accurate.

a. “Minerals contribute some of the dry biomass of the tree.”  

b. “Plants absorb organic substances from the soil, in addition to doing photosynthesis to make their own food.”

c. “Water from the soil does not contribute any mass to the dry biomass of the tree.”

Answer 1

a. Minerals contribute some of the dry biomass of the tree - AGREE

Minerals such as Ca,P,N,Mg, etc are taken up from the soil and do contribute to the dry biomass of the tree. One of the most important factors influencing biomass is soil nutrient availability.Limited nutrient availability influences negatively biomass production.Phosphorus deficiency caused reduced biomass, photosynthetic activity and nitrogen fixing ability.Hence the statement is scientifically accurate.

b. “Plants absorb organic substances from the soil, in addition to doing photosynthesis to make their own food.”- DISAGREE

An inorganic compound does not contain carbon and is not part of, or produced by, a living organism. Inorganic substances, which form the majority of the soil solution, are commonly called minerals: those required by plants include nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) for structure and regulation. Plants can absorb inorganic nutrients and water through their root system, and carbon dioxide from the environment. The combination of organic compounds, along with water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight, produce the energy that allows plants to grow. Inorganic compounds form the majority of the soil solution.

c. “Water from the soil does not contribute any mass to the dry biomass of the tree.” - AGREE

The mass of a tree is primarily carbon. The carbon comes from carbon dioxide used during photosynthesis.Yes, the carbon from carbon dioxide in the air we breathe out ends up in “food” molecules (called glucose) each of which contains 6 carbon atoms (and 12 hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms).Cellular respiration is a process by which carbon molecules (glucose, in this case) are broken down to release energy. As some of this glucose is left over after all the vital processes have been carried out, the surplus is directed into the construction of leaves, roots and other components.