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Cellular respiration is an exothermic reaction and photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction. How does the required activation energy compare for these two reactions?(1 point)

Responses

Photosynthesis needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.
Photosynthesis needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.

Cellular respiration needs a higher amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.
Cellular respiration needs a higher amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.

Cellular respiration needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.
Cellular respiration needs a smaller amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.

Photosynthesis needs a higher amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.
Photosynthesis needs a higher amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.

1 answer

To understand the activation energy of cellular respiration and photosynthesis, it's important to recognize the nature of these reactions.

  1. Cellular respiration is an exothermic reaction, meaning it releases energy in the form of ATP, and the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants. This typically means that the activation energy required to start cellular respiration is relatively low because the reaction naturally tends to proceed in the direction of lower energy.

  2. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, is an endothermic reaction that requires energy input (usually from sunlight) to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. In this case, the products (glucose) are at a higher energy state than the reactants, which generally means that a higher activation energy is required to initiate the reaction.

Given this understanding, the correct response to how the required activation energy compares for these two reactions is:

Photosynthesis needs a higher amount of energy to activate the reaction because the products are at a lower energy state than the reactants.