A researcher is investigating the of effects a chemical that makes thylakoid membranes permeable to hydrogen ions (H+). Which of the following is most likely direct effectof adding the chemical to plant cells?

Chloroplasts are the membrane-bound organelles, which carry out the process of photosynthesis. The correct answer is:

Option B. The chloroplasts will generate less ATP.

Photosynthesis is the process of preparing the food in presence of sunlight. It occurs in the plant. The chloroplasts are the membrane-bound organelles, which consists of pigments, enzymes, and other molecules. The thylakoid membrane consist of stacked membranes, known as grana. The light-absorbing pigment, chlorophyll is found in grana.

The following points can be used to explain photosynthesis:

Therefore, the permeability of the protons into the granum will yield ATP. The less ATP will be produced without ATPase.

To know more about of ATP's, refer to the following link:

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B. The chloroplasts will generate less ATP

Explanation:

Photosynthesis, occurs in the chloroplasts of plants. Solar energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of stable carbohydrates.  

              6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light  →  C6H12O6 + 6 O2

Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light       Glucose + Oxygen

Chloroplasts, are small membrane-bound organelles of multi-folded membranes containing pigments, enzymes, and other molecules that facilitate the process. The thylakoid contains multiple folded membranes called granum stacked together. They contain light-absorbing pigments like chlorophyll.  

Here, absorbed light is  used in photolysis, to split water produce H+, O2 and high-energy electrons for the high-energy producing electron transport chain.  

Protons are pumped into the stroma within granum, producing ATP.                 ∴ Without ATPase, less ATP is produced.