Question

Plants are:

Select one:
a. Net O2 consumers
b. Net CO2 producers
c. Net O2 producers
d. Both A and B are correct
e. Both B and C are correct

Answer 1

Plants are net O2 producers because they typically produce more oxygen through photosynthesis than they consume through cellular respiration. The correct option is c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking about the net effect of plants on oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the environment. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) and, using energy from sunlight, convert these into sugars/carbohydrates and oxygen (O2).

Thus, they are net O2 producers. However, like all organisms, plants also perform cellular respiration, a process that uses oxygen to break down sugars into CO2 and water to release energy.

Nevertheless, the amount of O2 produced during photosynthesis typically exceeds the amount consumed during respiration, making plants net producers of oxygen, not carbon dioxide.

With this in mind, the correct answer to the student's question would be 'c. Net O2 producers', as plants typically produce more oxygen than they consume, thereby contributing to a net increase in atmospheric oxygen.