Question

How many percent of the dry weight of a plant is contributed by carbon?

• A. 75
• B. 35
• C. 45
• D. 25

Hint:

Plants are primarily made of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, derived from CO2 and water. Carbon and oxygen each make up about 45% of the plant's dry mass.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Carbon is the most abundant element in a plant's dry matter, forming the backbone of all major organic molecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids). On average, carbon constitutes about 45% of a plant's total dry weight. The other major components are oxygen (\(\sim\)45%) and hydrogen (\(\sim\)6%).