How does the chemical equation for cellular respiration demonstrate that plants cycle matter?

Question

It shows that plants absorb all matter from the soil without cycling it back into the air.
It shows that plants absorb all matter from the soil without cycling it back into the air.

It shows that plants create new atoms by breaking down glucose into energy, releasing extra matter into the environment.
It shows that plants create new atoms by breaking down glucose into energy, releasing extra matter into the environment.

It shows that plants store matter permanently as glucose and do not release it back into the environment.
It shows that plants store matter permanently as glucose and do not release it back into the environment.

It shows that the same molecules used in photosynthesis are rearranged during cellular respiration, conserving matter and cycling molecules like glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water.

Answer 1

The correct interpretation is:

It shows that the same molecules used in photosynthesis are rearranged during cellular respiration, conserving matter and cycling molecules like glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water.

During cellular respiration, plants (and other organisms) take in glucose and oxygen to produce energy, and they release carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. This process highlights the continuity of matter in ecosystems, showing how the products of photosynthesis (glucose and oxygen) are utilized in cellular respiration, and in turn, how the byproducts (carbon dioxide and water) can be used again in photosynthesis. This cycle indicates that matter is constantly being recycled rather than permanently stored or lost.