Phosphorus deficiency often appears early in plant growth and results in stunting. Which of the following are reasons why a deficiency in phosphorus would cause growth abnormalities in plants? (Check all that apply.)A) Phosphorus is required for the storage and transfer of energy.B) Phosphorus is required for the production of amino acids that form proteins.C) Phosphorus is required for DNA replication.D) Phosphorus is necessary for building molecules in the cell membrane.E) Without phosphorus, cellular replication is impeded.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A, C, D, E

Clarify Question
• What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses the phosphorus cycle.
• What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.

Gather Content
• What do you already know about the phosphorus cycle?
        o Phosphorus is found in ATP, the energy carrier of the cell.
        o Phosphorus is found in the phosphate backbone of DNA and RNA.
        o Phosphorus is found in phospholipids of the cell membrane.
        o However, phosphorus is not found in amino acids or proteins.

Choose Answer
• Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient for many reasons. Phosphorus is necessary to the metabolism of a plant because it is part of ATP, which stores and transfers energy within cells. Phosphorus is found in phospholipids that comprise the majority of the cellular membranes and in the bonds that hold nucleotides together in a DNA molecule. Without phosphorus, cell division would be negatively affected because division requires DNA synthesis and membrane formation.

Reflect on Process
• Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o The question required you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
        o Did you recognize that phosphorus is important for plants because it is in ATP, DNA, and phospholipids?