A scientist discovers a diseased tomato plant where a disease has caused discolouration in the leaves due to a decrease in chlorophyll. Explain why this tomato plant produces far less tomatoes and is much smaller than a healthy tomato plant.

The decrease in chlorophyll in the diseased plant leaves means the light energy cannot be used to make glucose via photosynthesis in the chloroplasts. Tomatoes store a lot of glucose therefore with less glucose, less tomatoes can be produced. Glucose is also required for respiration which provides energy for plants to grow. Therefore with less glucose the diseased plant will be smaller.

PS
Answered by Phoebe S. Biology tutor

3090 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is osmosis? A diagram may be useful for your explanation


What is photosynthesis? Where does it occur? What are the reactants and products of the process?


What is an Extremophile?


Describe the differences in cell structure between animal, plant and bacterial cells


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning