An experiment is designed to study the mechanism of sucrose uptake by plant cells. Cells are immersed in a sucrose solution, and the pH of the solution is monitored. Samples of the cells are taken at intervals and their sucrose concentration measured. The pH is observed to decrease until it reaches a steady, slightly acidic level, and then sucrose uptake begins. (a) Evaluate these results and propose a hypothesis to explain them. (b) Predict what would happen if an inhibitor of ATP regeneration by the cell were added to the beaker once the pH was at a steady level? Explain your thinking.

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Answer:

a. Sucrose is present in the plant cells that provide them energy and helps in the metabolic process of the plants. The pH of the plant cells will increase and their cellular environment becomes basic in nature. The uptake of sucrose is pH specific and the acidic condition in the environment allows the uptake of sucrose. The decrease in pH concentration in the environment increases the pH inside the cells.

b. The inhibitor of ATP inhibits the production and functioning of the ATP molecule.  This effects the sucrose transport in the plant cells. As the sucrose movement requires the ATP and it is a active transport. The ATP inhibition decreases the sucrose uptake in the plant cells and the sucrose concentration decreases inside the plant cells.