Question

The major role of phosphorus in plant metabolism is
(a) To generate metabolic energy
(b) To evolve oxygen during photosynthesis
(c) To evolve carbon dioxide during respiration
(d) To create anaerobic conditions

Answer 1

Plant metabolism is the complex of physical and chemical events during photosynthesis respiration and synthesis and degradation of organic compounds. Metabolism in plants happens in different parts of the plant such as leaves, stems, and roots. Metabolism happens to convert the food to energy to run cellular processes.

Complete answer:
The major role of phosphorus in plant metabolism is to generate metabolic energy. Phosphorus is a macronutrient that is a constituent of ATP and is absorbed by the plants in the form of phosphate ions. Phosphorus is essential for determining plant growth and productivity. Phosphorus is available in the soil and is rarely sufficient for optimum growth and development of plants due to soil fixation of phosphorus. The uptake of phosphorus from the soil is done after its long-distance transport and compartmentation in plants. Phosphorus provides developmental processes at both cellular and whole plant level. It helps in seed germination, seedling establishment shoot, root, flower, and seed development. It helps with the process of photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen fixation.

Additional information: The plant undergoes various morphological, physiological, and biochemical adaptations when Phosphorus is in deficient condition. Phosphorus toxicity is rarely reported in plants. Phosphorus gets entered into the plant through root hairs and the outermost layer of root cells. The uptake is facilitated by the mycorrhiza fungi which grow in association with the roots of many crops. Phosphorus acts as the primary orthophosphate ion but some are absorbed as secondary orthophosphate and increases the soil pH. Phosphorus is vital for genes and chromosomes. It carries genetic code from one generation to the next and provides a blueprint for all aspects of plant growth and development. Phosphorus is essential for the development of new cells and is required adequately. To transfer the genetic code from one cell to another and the growth and development of the plant to proceed at a normal pace.
So, the correct answer is '(a) To generate metabolic energy'.

Note: Phosphorus is a Greek word which means bringer of light. A brand named Phosphorus a cold fire due to its growing capacity in the dark. It was discovered by Hennig Brand in Germany in 1669. Phosphorus can burst into flame and is known as the devil’s element. Phosphorus is necessary to the living organism as its body contains about 750 grams of phosphorus.