It’s OK to say that your brain is solar powered, because
A) mitochondria in plant cells convert solar power to the chemical power that is used to run your brain.
B) cellular respiration is powered by sunlight.
C) the antenna complex in chloroplasts acts like a tiny solar panel, collecting sunlight to make the sugars that you consume to run your brain.
D) mitochondria in plant cells use solar power to split water molecules, creating the energy that runs your brain.
The correct answer is C) the antenna complex in chloroplasts acts like a tiny solar panel, collecting sunlight to make the sugars that you consume to run your brain.
To understand why this is the correct answer, we need some background knowledge about photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose (sugar).
Photosynthesis occurs in specialized structures within plant cells called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain pigments, such as chlorophyll, which capture the energy from sunlight. These pigments are organized in a complex called the antenna complex, which acts like a tiny solar panel. When sunlight hits the antenna complex, it transfers the energy to chlorophyll molecules, which triggers a series of chemical reactions. These reactions ultimately convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
The glucose produced by photosynthesis serves as a source of energy for plant cells. When you consume plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, the glucose from these plants can be broken down in your body through a process called cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is the process by which cells use glucose and oxygen to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used for various cellular functions, including powering your brain.
So, by consuming plant-based foods, you indirectly get the energy that is captured from sunlight during photosynthesis. This energy, in the form of glucose, is used to fuel your brain and other bodily functions. Therefore, it is correct to say that your brain is "solar powered" in the sense that it relies on the energy derived from sunlight through the process of photosynthesis.