Which statement is true about photosynthesis and cellular respiration? a) Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and all bacteria. b) Cellular respiration occurs in plants and animals only. c) Cellular respiration occurs in all organisms, except plants. d) Photosynthesis and cellular respiration occur in plants.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: d) Photosynthesis and cellular respiration occur in plants.
Explanation:
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two fundamental biological processes that sustain life on Earth. These processes are interconnected and allow organisms to produce and use energy efficiently.
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process takes place mainly in the chloroplasts of plant cells and involves using carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen. The general equation for photosynthesis is:6CO2+6H2O+light energy→C6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{light energy} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_26CO2+6H2O+light energy→C6H12O6+6O2
On the other hand, cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This process occurs in the mitochondria of both plant and animal cells. The equation for cellular respiration is essentially the reverse of photosynthesis:C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+energy (ATP)C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{energy (ATP)}C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+energy (ATP)
While plants carry out photosynthesis, they also perform cellular respiration to break down the glucose they produce and obtain usable energy. Animals, fungi, and most bacteria also perform cellular respiration, although they do not carry out photosynthesis.
The correct statement is that both photosynthesis and cellular respiration occur in plants. Plants use photosynthesis to produce food and oxygen, and they use cellular respiration to break down that food and generate energy. Therefore, choice d is correct. The other options are incorrect because they either include organisms that do not perform the process mentioned or exclude ones that do.
