Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Circadian rhythms are endogenous, self-sustaining biological oscillations with a period of approximately 24 hours.
These rhythms are regulated by an internal molecular clock and persist even in the absence of external light or temperature cues.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Opening and closing of stomata [C]: Shows a distinct circadian rhythm.
In most plants, stomata open in the morning and close at night. This cycle continues even when plants are kept in continuous darkness.
- Photosynthetic activity [D]: Regulated by the circadian clock, which coordinates the expression of light-harvesting complex genes and Rubisco activity to peak during subjective daylight hours.
- Seed germination in cereals [A]: An irreversible developmental transition triggered by environmental signals (imbibition, temperature), not a repeating 24-hour cycle.
- Root growth into the soil [B]: Directed by directional stimuli (gravitropism and hydrotropism), which is a growth response rather than a circadian rhythm.
Therefore, only stomatal movement and photosynthetic activity are examples of circadian rhythms.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The processes that exhibit circadian rhythms are stomatal movement (C) and photosynthetic activity (D).