BioInteractive Outputs and Ecological Roles of Photosynthesis 2

Question 1

How is glucose produced in photosynthesis used by the plant itself?

Accepted Answer

For cellular respiration, growth, structural materials (cellulose), and storage (starch)

Answer

Plants use photosynthetically produced glucose for energy (respiration), building cell walls (cellulose), storing energy (starch), and synthesizing other organic molecules.

Question 2

What is the connection between photosynthesis and fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuels are ancient organic carbon originally fixed by photosynthesis millions of years ago

Answer

Coal, oil, and natural gas are the remains of ancient photosynthetic organisms; combusting them releases CO2 that was fixed from the atmosphere millions of years ago.

Question 3

Which ecosystem type has the highest net primary productivity on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforests

Answer

Tropical rainforests have the highest NPP due to year-round warmth, high rainfall, and intense solar radiation that support continuous, rapid photosynthesis.

Question 4

How do algae and cyanobacteria contribute to global photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

They account for roughly half of all photosynthesis on Earth, primarily in oceans and freshwater

Answer

Phytoplankton (algae and cyanobacteria) in aquatic environments contribute approximately 50% of global primary production and most of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere.

Question 5

What is the relationship between photosynthesis and the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis requires nitrogen for chlorophyll and enzymes; plants absorb inorganic nitrogen and incorporate it into organic molecules using carbon skeletons from photosynthesis

Answer

Carbon skeletons (e.g., organic acids) produced in photosynthesis are combined with absorbed nitrogen to synthesize amino acids, nucleotides, and chlorophyll itself.

BioInteractive - Photosynthesis BioInteractive Test Practice Test

BioInteractive - Photosynthesis BioInteractive Test Practice Test

BioInteractive Outputs and Ecological Roles of Photosynthesis 2