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 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. 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.

Answer 1

The correct response would be:

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

Here's the reasoning behind it:

• Cellular respiration is an exothermic reaction, meaning it releases energy. The products (carbon dioxide and water) have a lower energy state compared to the reactants (glucose and oxygen), resulting in a lower activation energy requirement since the reaction tends to proceed spontaneously towards a more stable (lower energy) state.

• Photosynthesis, on the other hand, is an endothermic reaction; it requires energy (in the form of sunlight) to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. In this case, the products (glucose and oxygen) are at a higher energy state than the reactants, necessitating a higher activation energy to initiate the process.

Thus, when comparing the activation energies for both processes, cellular respiration would require less energy to initiate because it is moving towards a lower energy state, while photosynthesis requires more energy to reach the higher energy state of its products.