About 200 years ago, Jan Batista van Helmont wanted to know where growing plants get the materials necessary for increase in size. He planted a tree seedling weighing 2.2 kilograms (5 pounds) in a barrel filled with 90 kilograms (200 pounds) of soil and then watered the tree regularly. After 5 years, the tree had gained almost 75 kilograms (164 pounds), and the soils weight was unchanged. He incorrectly concluded that the tree had gained all of its additional weight by absorbing water. How did the tree really gain most of its weight?

Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
4th Edition
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Chapter8: Photosynthesis
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 12TYK
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question
  1. About 200 years ago, Jan Batista van Helmont wanted to know where growing plants get the materials necessary for increase in size. He planted a tree seedling weighing 2.2 kilograms (5 pounds) in a barrel filled with 90 kilograms (200 pounds) of soil and then watered the tree regularly. After 5 years, the tree had gained almost 75 kilograms (164 pounds), and the soils weight was unchanged. He incorrectly concluded that the tree had gained all of its additional weight by absorbing water. How did the tree really gain most of its weight?
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Plant diversity
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:
9781305389892
Author:
Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:
9781337392938
Author:
Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:
9781305967359
Author:
STARR
Publisher:
CENGAGE L
Biology 2e
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax
Concepts of Biology
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:
9781938168116
Author:
Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:
OpenStax College
Science Of Agriculture Biological Approach
Science Of Agriculture Biological Approach
Biology
ISBN:
9780357229323
Author:
Herren
Publisher:
Cengage