Question

Select the statements that best describes photosynthesis.

A) Only organisms that are capable of producing their own food undergo photosynthesis.
B) Photosynthesis involves the combination of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and sunlight, resulting in the formation of sugar and water.
C) Photosynthesis is a process exclusive to animals.
D) Photosynthesis combines carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce sugar and oxygen.
E) Only organisms that cannot produce their own food undergo photosynthesis.

Answer 1

Statement D) is correct as it accurately describes photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight are used to produce sugar and oxygen. Statements A) and B) only partially describe the process or include inaccuracies, while C) and E) are incorrect.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the question regarding which statements best describe photosynthesis:

• Statement B) is incorrect because oxygen is not a reactant but a product of photosynthesis.
• Statement C) is incorrect because photosynthesis is exclusive to plants, algae, and certain bacteria, not animals.
• Statement D) correctly describes photosynthesis as it combines carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce sugar and oxygen.
• Statement E) is incorrect because only organisms that can produce their own food, like plants, undergo photosynthesis.
• Statement A) is partially correct. While it's true that organisms capable of producing their own food (autotrophs) undergo photosynthesis, this statement is incomplete as it does not describe the process.

To summarize, photosynthesis is a crucial biological process where sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water are converted into glucose (a sugar molecule) and oxygen. This process is vital for the production of organic compounds and for the release of oxygen into our atmosphere.