The Data Were Collected from the Heterocysts of a Nitrogen-Fixing

question 26

Multiple Choice

The data were collected from the heterocysts of a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium inhabiting equatorial ponds. Study the graph in Figure 24.3 and choose the most likely explanation for the shape of the curve. Figure 24.3

• A) Enough O2 enters heterocysts during hours of peak photosynthesis to have a somewhat-inhibitory effect on nitrogen fixation.
• B) Light-dependent reaction rates must be highest between 1800 hours and 0600 hours.
• C) Atmospheric N2 levels increase at night because plants are no longer metabolizing this gas, so they are not absorbing this gas through their stomata.
• D) Heterocyst walls become less permeable to N2 influx during darkness.
• E) The amount of fixed nitrogen that is dissolved in the pond water in which the cyanobacteria are growing peaks at the close of the photosynthetic day (1800 hours).

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Definitions:

Clean Air Act

U.S. federal law designed to control air pollution on a national level by setting emissions standards for industries and transportation to ensure a cleaner, healthier environment.

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A principle in environmental law that allows for regulations to be adjusted or "tailored" to fit the specific circumstances of different sources or categories of sources, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.