Problem:

If you place a plant in a glass container with its roots in dirt, provide water and sunlight, but seal the container so air cannot enter, the plant will survive and grow. If you place a mouse in a glass container, provide shelter, water and sunlight, but seal the container to air, the mouse will not survive an hour. Answer the following questions relative to your discussion of energy metabolism this week and last week.

Required:

Question 1: What are the two major metabolic pathways that allow the plant to survive and grow?

Question 2: Explain how these pathways cycle the resources needed by the plant.

Question 3: Assume that the plant (not a seed nor a seedling) when first placed in the container has a mass of about 20g. After 6 months, the mass of the plant is about 75g. When the plant grows, it increases in mass. Of the components in the container; dirt, water, CO2, and O2, which component can be directly attributed to the increase in mass in the plant? Provide a one-sentence explanation.

Question 4: What is the metabolic pathway missing in the mouse that prevents if from surviving in the glass container. Explain why the lack of this pathway leads to death.

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