Question

In the form of sugar, sugarcane stores what? (a) Proteins (b) Carbohydrates (c) Glycoproteins (d) None of these

Short answer

The correct answer is (b) Carbohydrates.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Nutrient Forms

Firstly, it's essential to understand what each nutrient is. Proteins are complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient and one of the primary sources of energy for the body. Glycoproteins are molecules that have sugars and proteins bonded together.

Determine the Sugarcane's Nutrient

In the process of photosynthesis, plants like sugarcane produce glucose, a type of sugar. They store it for energy. This glucose is a form of carbohydrate.

Answering the Question

Having understood the concepts above, you can now infer that sugarcane stores energy in the form of carbohydrates, not proteins or glycoproteins.

Key concepts

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a vital process for plants, and understanding it is essential for anyone studying biology, especially for NEET exams. Through photosynthesis, plants convert light energy into chemical energy, which they store as glucose, a simple sugar. This process occurs in the chloroplasts, the green parts of the plant cells, using chlorophyll to capture sunlight.

The equation representing photosynthesis is:
\[ 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \]
Here, carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) and water (\(H_2O\)) in the presence of light energy are converted to glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) and oxygen (\(O_2\)). Importantly for NEET students, glucose is the primary product, which plants then utilize for growth and development or store for later use. In sugarcane, glucose is stored in long chains known as starch, or it may be concentrated into a sweet syrup.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are organic compounds that are crucial sources of energy for living organisms. In the context of the NEET biology questions, students must know that carbohydrates come in simple forms such as sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) and more complex forms like starches and cellulose. These compounds are made up of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms and have the general formula \(C_x(H_2O)_y\).

Plants produce carbohydrates during photosynthesis, specifically glucose, which is a monosaccharide. Plants like sugarcane can store glucose in the form of sucrose, a disaccharide, which is transported to storage tissues in the plant. This storage form helps plants to manage their energy needs and is a primary reason why sugarcane is rich in carbohydrates, particularly sucrose—that sweet, energy-rich compound we often use as table sugar.

Nutrient Forms in Plants

Plants require various nutrients in different forms to sustain their growth and development. The NEET biology syllabus often emphasizes on differentiating these nutrient forms, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and glycoproteins. For example, proteins in plants are crucial for tissue development and acting as enzymes, while carbohydrates serve as the primary energy source. Glycoproteins, although not a primary storage form, play a role in cell-to-cell interactions and are important in the immune response.

Students should recognize that in the context of the exercise given, sugarcane, and plants, in general, do not use proteins or glycoproteins as primary storage molecules for energy. Instead, as noted in the step 1 of the solution, carbohydrates, which are produced and stored following photosynthesis, serve this purpose. It's important to understand that these storage forms can vary: some plants may store simple sugars while others, like sugarcane, store more complex versions such as sucrose or starch.