Question

Oxygenic photosynthesis occurs in

• A. Oscillatoria
• B. Rhodospirillum
• C. Chlorobium
• D. Chromatium

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Oxygenic photosynthesis is a type of photosynthesis in which oxygen is produced as a by-product. It is typically carried out by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. The presence of oxygen as a by-product is due to the splitting of water molecules during the process of photosynthesis.

Let's evaluate the given options to determine which organism performs oxygenic photosynthesis:

1. Oscillatoria: Oscillatoria is a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are known for performing oxygenic photosynthesis, similar to plants and algae. Hence, Oscillatoria is capable of oxygenic photosynthesis.
2. Rhodospirillum: Rhodospirillum is a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria known for performing anoxygenic photosynthesis, which does not produce oxygen as a by-product. Therefore, it does not perform oxygenic photosynthesis.
3. Chlorobium: Chlorobium is a group of green sulfur bacteria that perform anoxygenic photosynthesis. Hence, it does not produce oxygen during photosynthesis.
4. Chromatium: Chromatium is a genus of purple sulfur bacteria, which also performs anoxygenic photosynthesis. As a result, it does not produce oxygen.

Based on the above analysis, Oscillatoria is the organism that performs oxygenic photosynthesis, being a cyanobacterium capable of producing oxygen as a by-product of the photosynthetic process.

Thus, the correct answer is Oscillatoria.