# A variegated plant has leaves with green regions and white regions. The white regions contain no chlorophyll. Explain why the white regions of a variegated leaf cannot carry out photosynthesis, and describe what would happen to the overall dry mass of a variegated plant kept in the dark for several weeks.

> Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0) — 3.1 Photosynthesis · Explain · 5 marks

> Variegated plants have leaves with patches of different colours. Green regions contain chloroplasts with chlorophyll, while white regions lack chlorophyll entirely.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Chlorophyll is needed to absorb light energy for photosynthesis
2. Without light energy, the white regions cannot convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (and oxygen)
3. In the dark, the whole plant cannot photosynthesise (because there is no light energy available)
4. The plant will continue to respire in the dark, breaking down glucose / organic molecules
5. The dry mass of the plant will decrease because more organic molecules are broken down in respiration than are produced by photosynthesis

## Key terms

- [chlorophyll](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chlorophyll)
- [photosynthesis](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/photosynthesis)
- [dry mass](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/dry-mass)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-variegated-plant-has-leaves-with-a53ec650) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.