Plants are producers. They are responsible for converting sunlight into usable energy for the consumers on Earth. Using the model and trace the energy transformation(s) taking place during these two processes: photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Responses
A solar energy to chemical energy, ATPsolar energy to chemical energy, ATP
B solar energy to usable chemical energy, sugarssolar energy to usable chemical energy, sugars
C usable chemical energy, sugars to cellular energy, ATPusable chemical energy, sugars to cellular energy, ATP
D solar energy to chemical energy, glucose to chemical energy, ATP
The correct response is B: solar energy to usable chemical energy, sugars.
The correct answer is B) solar energy to usable chemical energy, sugars.
During photosynthesis, plants absorb sunlight and convert it into usable chemical energy in the form of sugars (glucose). This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells and involves the conversion of solar energy into the chemical energy stored in the bonds of glucose.
During cellular respiration, the stored chemical energy in glucose is released and converted into cellular energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This process occurs in the mitochondria of plant cells and involves the breakdown of glucose through a series of chemical reactions to generate ATP.
Therefore, the energy transformation that takes place during photosynthesis is solar energy to usable chemical energy in the form of sugars, while the energy transformation during cellular respiration is the breakdown of glucose to generate cellular energy in the form of ATP.
The correct answer is B: solar energy to usable chemical energy, sugars.
Here's how to understand the energy transformations that occur during photosynthesis and cellular respiration:
1. Photosynthesis: During photosynthesis, plants capture sunlight and convert it into usable chemical energy, typically in the form of sugars like glucose. This process takes place in specialized structures called chloroplasts, which contain a pigment called chlorophyll that absorbs sunlight. The energy from the sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. So, the energy transformation in photosynthesis is from solar energy to usable chemical energy in the form of sugars.
2. Cellular Respiration: Once the plants have produced sugars through photosynthesis, they can undergo cellular respiration to convert these sugars into cellular energy, in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria of cells. During this process, the sugars are broken down into smaller molecules, releasing energy in the form of ATP. The energy transformation in cellular respiration is from the usable chemical energy in sugars to cellular energy in the form of ATP.
So overall, the energy transformations in these two processes are as follows:
Photosynthesis: solar energy to usable chemical energy, sugars
Cellular Respiration: usable chemical energy, sugars to cellular energy, ATP