A 500 g fresh leaf consumes 0.5 g of glucose per hour at 25 °C. If the leaf temperature rises to 35 °C and the temperature coefficient Q10 for leaf respiration is 2.0, what is the new glucose consumption rate?
Answer
1.0 g h⁻¹
The correct answer is 1.0 g h⁻¹ — Calculate new rate: 0.5 g h⁻¹ × 2.0^1 = 1.0 g h⁻¹.
Step-by-step solution
- Recall the Q10 relation: rate at higher temp = rate at lower temp × .
- Here ΔT = 35 °C – 25 °C = 10 °C.
- Compute exponent: ΔT/10 = 1.
- Calculate new rate: 0.5 g h⁻¹ × 2.0^1 = 1.0 g h⁻¹.
Common mistake: Applying Q10 to wrong temperature range
Concept tested: Q10 temperature coefficient in plant respiration
Published · How this solution was prepared and checked
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