A plant requires phosphorus for

Options

A. (a) cell walls
B. (b) cell membranes
C. (c) enzymes
D. (d) starch deposits

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Role of Phosphorus in Plants:**
- Phosphorus is one of the primary macronutrients essential for plant growth and development. It plays a crucial role in various physiological processes.

2. **Analyzing the Options:**
- The question provides four options regarding the role of phosphorus in plants:
A) Cell walls
B) Cell membranes
C) Enzymes
D) Starch deposits

3. **Evaluating Each Option:**
- **Option A: Cell walls** - Cell walls are primarily composed of cellulose, which does not require phosphorus for its structure. Therefore, this option is not correct.
- **Option B: Cell membranes** - Cell membranes are made up of phospholipids, which contain phosphorus as a key component. This makes this option a strong candidate.
- **Option C: Enzymes** - While enzymes are important for biochemical reactions in plants, they are composed of proteins and various minerals, but phosphorus is not a direct component of enzymes. Thus, this option is not correct.
- **Option D: Starch deposits** - Starch is a carbohydrate made of glucose units and does not require phosphorus for its formation. Therefore, this option is also not correct.

4. **Conclusion:**
- After evaluating all the options, the most relevant answer is **B) Cell membranes**, as phosphorus is a crucial component of phospholipids that form the membranes and control their functioning.

**Final Answer: B) Cell membranes**

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