JAMB 2019 Biology · Question 27

Raw materials required by green plants to manufacture their food are

Options

  1. A.mainly fluids
  2. B.inorganic substances
  3. C.living materials
  4. D.mainly gases

Answer: B. inorganic substances

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks about the raw materials green plants use in photosynthesis, which is how they make their food.

Step 2: Explain the concept Green plants are autotrophs. They build their own food (glucose) from simple raw materials:

  • Carbon dioxide (CO₂), taken from the air through the stomata
  • Water (H₂O), taken from the soil through the roots
  • Light energy and chlorophyll, which are needed for the process but are not raw materials

The equation is:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → (light, chlorophyll) → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Step 3: Evaluate the options

  • A. Mainly fluids: Water is a liquid, but CO₂ is a gas, so this is not accurate.
  • B. Inorganic substances: CO₂ and water are both simple inorganic compounds, so this is correct. Plants convert these into organic food (glucose).
  • C. Living materials: Wrong. The raw materials are non-living.
  • D. Mainly gases: Only CO₂ is a gas. Water is a liquid, so "mainly gases" does not fit well.

Step 4: Answer The best answer is B. Inorganic substances, because both raw materials (carbon dioxide and water) are inorganic.

Tip: Remember the contrast: plants make organic food from inorganic raw materials. Animals (heterotrophs) depend on ready-made organic food. When you see "raw materials" for photosynthesis, think "inorganic."

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.

Past questions © the examination body (JAMB/WAEC/NECO). DeeepSolve is not affiliated with them. Rights holders: see /copyright.