Assertion (A): Manganese deficiency in plants primarily affects the photosynthetic process. Reason (R): Manganese is a cofactor for several enzymes involved in the photosynthetic electron transport chain, facilitating electron transfer reactions within chloroplasts.
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Manganese's key role in photosynthesis makes its deficiency particularly harmful to plant growth.
Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
(A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
(A) is not correct but (R) is correct.
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The Correct Option isA
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Manganese forms the \( \text{Mn}_4\text{CaO}_5 \) cluster of the oxygen-evolving complex in Photosystem II. Step 2: This cluster drives water-splitting, feeding electrons into the transport chain. Step 3: Mn deficiency breaks this step, directly impairing photosynthesis, exactly as the reason states. Step 4: Both true, R explains A, matching the first option.