Question

How do photosynthesis and cellular respiration interact to facilitate the flow of energy and the cycling of matter in an ecosystem?
A.
Photosynthesis captures energy from sunlight to produce glucose, which is then used in cellular respiration to release energy, resulting in the release of oxygen and carbon dioxide that are recycled in the environment.
B.
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are completely independent processes with no interaction, as they occur in different organisms.
C.
Cellular respiration produces glucose that plants use for photosynthesis, directly transferring energy between animals and plants.
D.
Photosynthesis only occurs in plants, while cellular respiration occurs in both plants and animals, making energy flow unidirectionally from plants to animals.

Answer 1

A

Explanation: Photosynthesis captures sunlight to make glucose and O2 (storing solar energy in chemical bonds). Cellular respiration breaks down glucose using O2 to release energy (ATP) and produces CO2 and H2O. The O2 and CO2 are exchanged between organisms and the environment, so matter cycles while energy flows from the Sun through producers to consumers and is lost as heat.