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Plants most likely detect gravity by sensing the direction in which some components respond to gravity. A mutant plant has roots that grow in all directions. Which organelle would you expect to be missing in the cell? a. mitochondria b. amyloplast c. chloroplast d. nucleus

Short Answer

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b. amyloplast

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Role of Each Organelle

Review the function of each organelle listed in the multiple-choice question: mitochondria, amyloplast, chloroplast, and nucleus.
02

Determine Which Organelle Senses Gravity

Identify which organelle is known to be involved in gravity detection in plant cells. Amyloplasts are known to respond to gravity and assist in orienting root growth.
03

Analyze the Mutant Plant Characteristics

Consider the mutant plant described in the problem — its roots grow in all directions, indicating a disruption in gravity sensing.
04

Match Organelles to Given Plant Behavior

Link the missing organelle (amyloplasts) to the observed behavior (disoriented root growth). Other organelles listed (mitochondria, chloroplasts, and nucleus) do not have primary roles in gravity sensing.
05

Choose the Correct Answer

Based on the previous steps, select the answer that corresponds to the missing organelle responsible for gravity detection.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

amyloplast
Amyloplasts are a type of plant cell organelle known as plastids. They are primarily involved in the storage and synthesis of starch. These organelles are often found in roots and tubers. Amyloplasts are non-pigmented organelles, unlike chloroplasts which contain green pigment for photosynthesis. In addition to storing starch, amyloplasts play a critical role in plant gravity detection.
  • They are dense due to the starch granules they contain, which makes them sensitive to gravity.
  • Amyloplasts settle at the bottom of a cell in response to gravity.
  • This movement helps the plant to determine the direction of gravity.
Plants use this information to orient their growth properly. Therefore, a plant lacking amyloplasts would struggle to detect gravity, causing its roots to grow in multiple directions, as described in the exercise.
root growth orientation
Roots need to grow in a specific direction to properly anchor the plant and find water and nutrients. This direction is typically downward, towards gravity. This process is known as gravitropism.
  • Gravity sensing in roots allows the plant to adjust growth accordingly.
  • Amyloplasts within root cells detect gravity by settling at the bottom of the cell.
  • This triggers a signal that guides the root to grow downward.
If a plant cannot sense gravity, its roots can't grow properly. In the mutant plant from the exercise, the absence of amyloplasts leads to disoriented root growth, as there is no gravity detection mechanism to guide the roots.
plant cell organelles
Plant cells contain various organelles, each with specific functions vital for the cell's survival and proper functioning. Some of the critical organelles include:
  • Mitochondria: Produce energy through cellular respiration.
  • Chloroplasts: Facilitate photosynthesis by capturing light energy.
  • Nucleus: Contains the genetic material and controls cellular activities.
  • Amyloplasts: Store starch and help in gravity sensing.
These organelles work together within the plant cell, enabling it to perform necessary biological processes. While mitochondria, chloroplasts, and the nucleus are essential, amyloplasts specifically contribute to gravity detection, explaining why their absence would result in the mutant plant's disoriented root growth.

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