Question

What is a key difference between photosynthesis in purple bacteria and in cyanobacteria or plants?

A) Purple bacteria use chlorophyll a, while cyanobacteria and plants use bacteriochlorophyll.
B) Cyanobacteria and plants produce oxygen as a byproduct, while purple bacteria do not.
C) Purple bacteria have thylakoid membranes, while cyanobacteria and plants have chromatophores.
D) Cyanobacteria and plants perform anoxygenic photosynthesis, while purple bacteria perform oxygenic photosynthesis.

Answer 1

Photosynthesis in cyanobacteria and plants is oxygenic and produces oxygen, while purple bacteria perform anoxygenic photosynthesis without producing oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

A key difference between photosynthesis in purple bacteria and in cyanobacteria or plants is related to the type of photosynthesis they perform and the byproducts they produce. Purple bacteria carry out anoxygenic photosynthesis using bacteriochlorophylls while cyanobacteria and plants use chlorophyll for oxygenic photosynthesis, producing oxygen as a byproduct. Unlike purple bacteria, cyanobacteria and plants can contribute to the oxygenation of the atmosphere due to this oxygen-generating process.

To answer your question, the correct statement is B) Cyanobacteria and plants produce oxygen as a byproduct, while purple bacteria do not.