ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Paragraph Comprehension (PC)Medium
Read the following passage: "The process of photosynthesis is fundamental to most life on Earth. Green plants, algae, and some bacteria utilize sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. This conversion occurs within specialized organelles called chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for absorbing light energy. Glucose serves as the plant's food source, providing energy for growth and other metabolic processes, while the oxygen is released into the atmosphere. Without photosynthesis, the global oxygen supply would deplete, and the primary food source for many ecosystems would vanish." What is the primary role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?
- ATo absorb light energy for the process.
- BTo convert carbon dioxide into water.
- CTo release oxygen into the atmosphere.
- DTo store glucose for later use.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. To absorb light energy for the process.
The passage states that chloroplasts 'contain chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for absorbing light energy.' This directly identifies chlorophyll's primary role.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Chlorophyll does not convert carbon dioxide into water; it helps capture energy for the overall reaction.
- C. Oxygen is a byproduct of the overall process, not chlorophyll's specific role.
- D. Glucose is stored by the plant, but chlorophyll's role is energy absorption, not storage.
Chlorophyll Function
The green pigment in plants that absorbs sunlight to initiate photosynthesis.
- Located in chloroplasts.
- Absorbs light energy.
- Essential for converting light to chemical energy.
Memory trick: Chlorophyll Catches Light, Creates Sweet Oxygen.