Certified Arborist Practice Exam

This process combines CO2 and water in a reaction driven by light to produce sugars:

1. Photosynthesis

2. Transpiration

3. Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees

4. Stomata

The correct answer is: Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars, using sunlight as the energy source. During this process, chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, captures light energy, which drives the chemical reactions involved in synthesizing glucose from carbon dioxide and water. This reaction also releases oxygen as a byproduct. Understanding photosynthesis is crucial in the context of tree health and the overall ecosystem, as it is fundamental for creating the organic compounds that serve as food for plants and, by extension, for animals and humans. The sugars produced during photosynthesis are vital for growth, energy storage, and the overall metabolic functions of the plant. In contrast, transpiration refers to the process by which water vapor is released from plant leaves into the atmosphere, which is not directly involved in producing sugars. Compartmentalization of decay in trees involves the defensive measures trees use to isolate areas of decay, while stomata are small openings on leaves that facilitate gas exchange, including the intake of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen, but are not involved in the production of sugars themselves. Each of these plays a role in plant physiology, but only photosynthesis is the specific process that combines carbon dioxide and water to create