Select the correct response regarding the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
a
the reactants and products of photosynthesis has no relationship with the reactants and products of cellular respiration.
b
the products of cellular respiration are the reactants of photosynthesis.
c
the reactants of photosynthesis are the reactants of cellular respiration.
d
the products of cellular respiration are the products of photosynthesis.
b
The products of cellular respiration are the reactants of photosynthesis.
The correct response is:
b) The products of cellular respiration are the reactants of photosynthesis.
The correct response regarding the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is option B: the products of cellular respiration are the reactants of photosynthesis.
To understand this relationship, it's essential to know the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration:
1. Photosynthesis: This process occurs in plant cells (and some other organisms) and primarily takes place in the chloroplasts. It converts carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light energy, into glucose and oxygen. The general equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
2. Cellular Respiration: This process occurs in the mitochondria of all living organisms, including plants. It involves the breakdown of glucose and other organic molecules to produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), as well as carbon dioxide and water. The general equation for cellular respiration is:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy
Now, let's examine the relationship between these two processes:
- Option A is incorrect because there is indeed a relationship between the reactants and products of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
- Option C is also incorrect since the reactants of photosynthesis (CO2 and H2O) are not exactly the same as the reactants of cellular respiration (C6H12O6 and O2).
- Option D is incorrect because the products of photosynthesis (glucose and oxygen) are not exactly the same as the products of cellular respiration (CO2 and H2O).
Therefore, the correct option, B, states that the products of cellular respiration (CO2 and H2O) are the reactants of photosynthesis. The carbon dioxide released during cellular respiration is used by plants during photosynthesis, and the oxygen produced during photosynthesis is utilized in cellular respiration. This relationship between the two processes forms a continuous cycle in nature, commonly referred to as the carbon cycle.