Notice in the image of the plant that both oxygen and carbon dioxide enter and exit the plant. Using what you know about photosynthesis and cellular respiration, explain what is happening with regard to these two gases.
Responses
A Unlike animals, plants use carbon dioxide in cellular respiration and produce oxygen.Unlike animals, plants use carbon dioxide in cellular respiration and produce oxygen.
B Plants, as autotrophs, only undergo photosynthesis and both use and produce oxygen and carbon dioxide in this process.Plants, as autotrophs, only undergo photosynthesis and both use and produce oxygen and carbon dioxide in this process.
C Plants require oxygen for photosynthesis and produce carbon dioxide. Plants then use the carbon dioxide produced in cellular respiration, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.Plants require oxygen for photosynthesis and produce carbon dioxide. Plants then use the carbon dioxide produced in cellular respiration, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
D Plants require carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and produce oxygen as a byproduct. Plants then use the oxygen released in cellular respiration, producing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
C Plants require oxygen for photosynthesis and produce carbon dioxide. Plants then use the carbon dioxide produced in cellular respiration, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
C Plants require oxygen for photosynthesis and produce carbon dioxide. Plants then use the carbon dioxide produced in cellular respiration, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
The correct answer is D: Plants require carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and produce oxygen as a byproduct. Plants then use the oxygen released in cellular respiration, producing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
To arrive at this answer, we can rely on our knowledge of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in plants.
During photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. This process occurs in the chloroplasts, which contain the pigment chlorophyll. The oxygen produced during photosynthesis is a byproduct and is released into the atmosphere.
On the other hand, cellular respiration is the process by which cells, including plant cells, break down glucose to produce energy. This process occurs in the mitochondria of cells. During cellular respiration, glucose reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy.
So, in the context of the question, we can infer that the plant is undergoing both photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The plant is taking in carbon dioxide as it needs it for photosynthesis. In this process, it converts carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is then released into the air. Furthermore, the plant uses the oxygen produced during photosynthesis to carry out cellular respiration. During cellular respiration, the plant breaks down glucose and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product, which is then released into the surrounding environment.
Therefore, both oxygen and carbon dioxide are entering and exiting the plant, with oxygen being produced during photosynthesis and carbon dioxide being produced during cellular respiration.