# Explain why a plant kept in complete darkness for several days will eventually stop growing and may die.

> OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247) — B1.4 Photosynthesis · Explain · 4 marks

> A houseplant is moved into a completely dark cupboard for several days. After this time, the plant appears wilted, its leaves have turned yellow, and new growth has stopped.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. In darkness there is no light energy available for photosynthesis to occur
2. Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose (and oxygen)
3. Without photosynthesis, no glucose is produced, so the plant has no source of energy / no substrate for cellular respiration
4. Glucose is also needed as a building block / raw material to make other biological molecules (e.g. cellulose / proteins / lipids) required for growth

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247)](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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