Which of the following statements best describes the difference between photosynthesis and respirati

JAMB Biology 2023 87 views
Source: JAMB · 2023

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between photosynthesis and respiration?

  1. Photosynthesis produces glucose while respiration breaks down glucose. ✓
  2. Photosynthesis occurs in animals while respiration occurs in plants.
  3. Photosynthesis requires oxygen while respiration produces oxygen.
  4. Photosynthesis takes place in the mitochondria while respiration occurs in the chloroplasts.
Explanation

Photosynthesis is the food-making process. Green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to BUILD glucose, and they release oxygen as a by-product: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

Respiration is the energy-releasing process. Living cells BREAK DOWN that glucose using oxygen to release energy (ATP), giving out carbon dioxide and water: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy. So the key difference is that one makes glucose and the other splits it.

The other statements are wrong. Both plants and animals respire; only plants (and some other organisms with chlorophyll) photosynthesise. It is respiration that uses oxygen and photosynthesis that gives off oxygen, not the other way round. And the places are swapped too: photosynthesis happens in the chloroplasts, while aerobic respiration happens in the mitochondria.

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