Photosynthesis and respiration both are shown by algae because they need light to make food.
Algae are a diverse group of predominantly photosynthetic organisms, including cyanobacteria, green algae, and other eukaryotes. They account for more than 50% of the photosynthesis that occurs on Earth. Photosynthetic efficiency is higher in algae than in higher plants. Algae use carbon dioxide for cellular respiration. It binds CO2 and reduces the amount in the atmosphere.
The questions which students can ask are :
Are the inputs to photosynthesis and the outputs to respiration the same?
Are the photosynthesis and respiration inputs the same thing?
Is it true that water is required for respiration and photosynthesis?
Is carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis?
what are algae?
A group of photosynthetic, aquatic, marine, true root stems leaves bearing organisms.
thus it concludes algae can perform both cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
To know about algae refers to the link: