Why does a plant change some of its glucose into starch?
AStarch dissolves quickly in water
BStarch traps sunlight in the leaf
CStarch does not dissolve in water
DStarch turns the leaves dark green
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Starch does not dissolve in water
1. Photosynthesis makes glucose all through the daylight hours.
2. Glucose dissolves in water, which is handy for moving it around the plant.
3. The same property is a problem when large amounts have to be stored.
4. Too much dissolved glucose would upset the water balance inside the leaves.
5. So the plant changes surplus glucose into starch, which does not dissolve.
6. Starch can then sit safely in store until the plant needs it again.
7. Starch is not a pigment, so it neither traps light nor colours the leaf.
_Source: Siyavula Natural Sciences Grade 8 (CC BY 4.0), Glucose storage and use_
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