Question

Boron assists in
A) Activation of enzymes
B) Photosynthesis
C) Sugar transport
D) Acting as enzyme cofactor

Answer 1

Hint: Boron performs a variety of plant functions. They play a key role in the synthesis of cell walls and maintaining their stability. They help in translocating carbohydrates, nitrogen metabolism and production of some useful proteins.

Complete answer:
Boron is a micronutrient which means it is needed by the plant in very less amounts. Plants absorb boron as boron ions. Boron is vital for the uptake and consumption of calcium ions. Boron is obligatory for the functioning of membranes, cell elongation, pollen germination and cell differentiation. Boron assists plant in maintaining their integrity at the structural and functional level. The light energy is converted into the chemical energy in the green parts of the plant through the process of photosynthesis. This chemical energy is then utilized to form a sugar which is then translocated to various parts of the plant. Boron is essential for increasing the translocation of sugars all the way through the phloem to the growing parts of the plants.

So the correct answer is option “C” that is boron assists in sugar transport.

Note: Boron is required in high amounts for reproductive growth, so boron assists in pollination and development of fruits and seeds. Besides sugar translocation and nitrogen metabolism, boron also helps in regulating the levels of hormones and transporting potassium into the stomata. The deficiency of boron often decreases the levels of sugar in the plant roots thus reducing the mycorrhizal colonization of fungi in the roots. On the other hand, deficiency of boron doesn’t cause chlorosis.