Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumExplicit Details

The green sea slug *Elysia chlorotica* is known for its ability to perform photosynthesis, a process typically reserved for plants. The slug achieves this by consuming the algae *Vaucheria litorea* and retaining its chloroplasts—the organelles responsible for photosynthesis—within its own digestive cells. This biological phenomenon, known as kleptoplasty, allows *E. chlorotica* to survive for up to nine months solely on light and carbon dioxide. While the slug extracts these chloroplasts, it does not inherit the algal genes required to maintain them. Instead, the chloroplasts eventually degrade, requiring the slug to feed on algae periodically throughout its life cycle to replenish them.

According to the text, which statement is true about the chloroplasts inside *Elysia chlorotica*?

  1. They eventually degrade and must be replenished because the slug does not inherit the genes necessary to maintain them.Answer
  2. B
    They are synthesized directly by the slug's digestive cells after it feeds on algae.
  3. C
    They allow the slug to live indefinitely without ever needing to ingest algae again.
  4. D
    They perform photosynthesis, a biological process that is normally restricted to plant species.

Answer

The chloroplasts inside the slug eventually degrade and must be replenished because the slug does not inherit the genes necessary to maintain them.
The text explicitly states that the slug does not inherit the algal genes required to maintain the chloroplasts, and as a result, the chloroplasts eventually degrade and must be replenished through periodic feeding. This directly supports the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the question stem to identify the subject of inquiry.
The question asks what the text explicitly states is true about the chloroplasts inside *Elysia chlorotica*.
This establishes the target information we need to find in the passage.
2
Locate the portion of the text that discusses the chloroplasts inside the slug and their maintenance.
The text states that the slug 'does not inherit the algal genes required to maintain them' and that 'the chloroplasts eventually degrade, requiring the slug to feed on algae periodically... to replenish them.'
This provides the explicit details needed to evaluate the options.
3
Match these details to the answer choices.
The option stating that the chloroplasts degrade and must be replenished due to the lack of inherited genes directly aligns with the text.
The correct option must be directly supported by the text without requiring external assumptions.

Key Concept

Explicit Details
Rate this question

Topics

Explicit Details

More questions from this topic