Question

The processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interdependent—each process is necessary to fuel the other. The chemical products of photosynthesis are the chemical reactants of cellular respiration, and the products of cellular respiration are the reactants of photosynthesis.

During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria—together called producers—create their own food by capturing light energy from the Sun to make molecules of glucose. Organic molecules, including glucose, can then be stored as food to be broken down by cellular respiration when energy is needed.
All living organisms perform some kind of cellular respiration. During cellular respiration, chemical pathways containing organic molecules such as glucose are broken down to release energy in a quickly usable form. Essentially, cellular respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis.

1
Select the correct answer.
Which detail in the image best supports the key idea that each process fuels the other?

A.
the sun to tree connection
B.
the sun outside the circle
C.
the example of the small dog
D.
the blue arrows in a circle

Answer 1

The detail in the image that best supports the key idea that each process fuels the other is the blue arrows in a circle. The correct answer is option D.

The blue arrows in a circle represent the continuous flow of energy and materials between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. This symbolizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of these processes.

During photosynthesis, plants capture light energy from the Sun and convert it into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This glucose is then stored as food.

Later, during cellular respiration, the stored glucose is broken down to release energy that can be used by the cell. The byproducts of cellular respiration, such as carbon dioxide and water, are then used as the reactants for photosynthesis.

In this way, the products of one process become the reactants of the other, creating a cycle that fuels both photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The blue arrows in a circle in the image represent this continuous exchange of energy and materials between the two processes.