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Question

Who among the following is the famous biologist who discovered that sunlight is essential for photosynthesis?

A
Van Niel
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B
Joseph Priestley
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C
Jan Ingenhousz
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D
Calvin
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Solution

The correct option is C Jan Ingenhousz
Jan Ingenhousz demonstrated that sunlight was necessary for photosynthesis by placing an aquatic plant once in the dark and the other time in the sunlight. He observed that in sunlight, there were small bubbles formed around the green plant parts while there no bubbles when the plant was kept in the dark. Later, he also identified these bubbles to be nothing but oxygen. Finally, he concluded that only the green plant parts have the ability to release oxygen in the sunlight.

Through a series of experiments, Priestley made a tremendously significant observation: A fire would douse itself and a mouse would choke out when set in the sealed container. He put a green plant in the container and presented it to daylight which allowed the fire to stay lit and the mouse to stay alive. Later, he discovered that plants discharge oxygen into the air during photosynthesis.

Cornelius van Niel conducted his studies on purple & green bacteria. He inferred that during photosynthesis, hydrogen gets released from an oxidisable compound which reduces carbon dioxide and carbohydrates are formed as a result.

Melvin Calvin along with his coworkers made a series of discoveries. They found that there a number of reactions involved that convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. These reactions are collectively referred to as C3 cycle or Calvin cycle. He was later awarded Noble Prize for this work in 1961.

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