Expert: Walter Hintz - 2/6/2006

Question
I need a 200 word answer to this question and I am not uderstanding this
plant 1 is supplied with normal co2 but with H20 that contains radioactive o2 atoms,plant 2 is supplied with normal h2o with co2 that contains radioactive o2 atoms.the oxygen gas & sugars produced are tested for radioactivity.which plant would you expect to produce radioactive sugars and which plant would you expect to produce radioactiveo2 gas?and why?

Answer
Hi Cher:  I am in no position to produce 200 word essays but I can point you in the right direction.  Look at the equation for photosynthesis.
 6H2O    +    6 CO2  >>>>>>> C6H12O6    +   6O2
   water   +   Carbon dioxide  yields sugar  + oxygen
 The C in the sugar is coming from the radioactive CO2

 The O2 is coming from the radioactive water