Question

Cell walls become brittle due to lack of ............ elements.

• A. Calcium
• B. Potassium
• C. Boron
• D. Copper

Hint:

Boron is essential for proper cell wall formation, and its deficiency causes brittleness due to improper pectin synthesis.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the role of elements in cell walls.
Boron is essential for the synthesis of pectin, a component of the cell wall. A deficiency in boron causes the cell walls to become brittle and weak.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Calcium: Incorrect, calcium helps in the stabilization of cell wall structure but does not cause brittleness when deficient.
(B) Potassium: Incorrect, potassium is crucial for cell function but does not affect cell wall rigidity directly.
(C) Boron: Correct, boron is crucial for the proper synthesis of pectin and the integrity of cell walls.
(D) Copper: Incorrect, copper is involved in various enzyme functions but does not directly affect cell wall structure.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) Boron, as it is vital for maintaining cell wall integrity.