Question

Aim of the variegated leaf experiment (variegated leaf exposed to sunlight) was

• A. to determine that ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ was essential for photosynthesis
• B. to determine that sunlight was essential for photosynthesis
• C. to determine that water was necessary for photosynthesis
• D. to determine that chlorophyll was essential for photosynthesis

Answer 1

The correct option is D to determine that chlorophyll was essential for photosynthesis

A variegated leaf is a leaf that contains green parts as well as non-green parts. Variegated leaf experiment was carried out to prove that photosynthesis occurred only in the green parts of the plant when they are exposed to sunlight. When a variegated leaf was used, starch was produced only in the green parts of the leaf which had been exposed to sunlight.
Mohl’s half leaf experiment was used to prove that ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ was essential for photosynthesis.
Jan Ingenhousz used a similar setup as Priestley (bell jar experiment) to prove that sunlight was essential for photosynthesis.
Jan Baptista van Helmont using his willow tree experiment proved that water was essential for photosynthesis.
Hence, the other options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect.