Why do organisms need to obtain energy via cellular respiration?(1 point) Responses to perform glycolysis to perform glycolysis to break down ATP to break down ATP to grow and reproduce to grow and reproduce to photosynthesize
Organisms need to obtain energy via cellular respiration primarily to break down ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules and fuel various cellular processes. ATP is considered as the energy currency of cells, and it provides the necessary energy for cellular activities, such as muscle contraction, DNA synthesis, and protein synthesis.
To obtain the answer, we need to evaluate the given options:
1. Perform glycolysis: Glycolysis is an essential step in cellular respiration, but it is not the reason organisms need to obtain energy. Glycolysis is the initial breakdown of glucose, which ultimately leads to the production of ATP.
2. Break down ATP: This statement is incorrect because organisms do not need to break down ATP to obtain energy. Instead, ATP is broken down to release energy needed for cellular activities.
3. Grow and reproduce: While growth and reproduction require energy, they are not the specific reasons organisms need to undergo cellular respiration. Energy obtained through cellular respiration fuels these processes, but it serves a broader purpose.
4. Photosynthesize: Photosynthesis is the process through which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, in the form of glucose. While it is a vital process, it is not directly related to the energy organisms obtain via cellular respiration.
Hence, the correct answer is that organisms need to obtain energy via cellular respiration to break down ATP.
Organisms need to obtain energy via cellular respiration because it is the process by which glucose is broken down into usable energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Cellular respiration allows organisms to extract the energy stored in glucose molecules and convert it into a form that can be used for various biological processes such as growth, reproduction, and maintaining cellular functions. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, is the process by which organisms, such as plants, synthesize glucose from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Organisms need to obtain energy via cellular respiration for several reasons:
1. To perform glycolysis: Glycolysis is the initial step in cellular respiration, during which glucose is broken down into pyruvate, releasing a small amount of ATP. This ATP provides immediate energy for cellular processes.
2. To break down ATP: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy currency in cells. Organisms need to obtain energy to break down ATP and release the stored energy for various cellular activities such as muscle contraction, active transport, and synthesis of molecules.
3. To grow and reproduce: Energy from cellular respiration is essential for growth and development in organisms. By obtaining energy through cellular respiration, organisms can synthesize new proteins, nucleic acids, and other molecules necessary for growth, repair, and reproduction.
4. To photosynthesize: Although cellular respiration is required by all organisms, some organisms, particularly plants and algae, also undergo photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which organisms convert light energy to chemical energy in the form of glucose. This glucose is then broken down through cellular respiration to release ATP and provide energy for various cellular processes.
In summary, organisms need to obtain energy through cellular respiration to perform glycolysis, break down ATP, grow and reproduce, and, in the case of photosynthetic organisms, to utilize the chemical energy stored in glucose.