An individual plant was discovered that could not grow towards light. After some research, it was determined that the reason was a defective gene that did not allow for the level of cell elongation necessary for a phototropic response. This mutation greatly reduces the fitness of the individual plant. Which reason best describes the reason for the loss of fitness?
A. The plant was too short to attract insects for pollination.
B. The plant could not adjust to directional light, which reduced photosynthetic activity and therefore energy available for reproduction.
C. Because the plant grew much taller and straighter, resources that could be used for reproduction were used for growth.
D. The loss of a phototropic response meant that the plant's seeds could not germinate, so reproduction would be unsuccessful.



Answer :

If a plant cannot grow towards light, it loses fitness as the plant could not adjust to directional light, which reduced photosynthetic activity and therefore energy available for reproduction.

Therefore the correct answer is Option B.

How do plants respond to light?

  • Phototropism is the directional growth of plant away or towards the light.
  • Plant growth and reproduction (flowering) also depend upon the day length or photoperiod. This is called photoperiodism.
  • Plants respond to light due to differential cell elongation. This is caused due to the plant hormone auxin which moves in the cells on the shaded side.
  • Auxin leads to cell elongation therefore the increase in size of cells on shaded side is more. This causes the plant to bend in the direction of light.
  • Auxins are essential for the light dependent stomata formation in plants and leaf venation.
  • Thus response of plant towards light affects photosynthesis and eventually reproduction.

Learn more about phototropism here:

https://brainly.com/question/12461019

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