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Difficulty: MediumEcology and Environment

In a wetland ecosystem, submerged vegetation synthesizes glucose using dissolved carbon dioxide. Through which metabolic process do both living plants and aquatic animals release carbon dioxide back into their surroundings?

  1. A
    Transpiration
  2. Cellular respirationAnswer
  3. C
    Photosynthesis
  4. D
    Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Cellular respiration
Cellular respiration is the biochemical pathway used by virtually all aerobic organisms—including plants and animals—to convert organic nutrients into usable cellular energy (ATPATP), producing carbon dioxide (CO2CO_2) and water (H2OH_2O) as metabolic byproducts that return to the surrounding ecosystem.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the biological role of carbon dioxide in the carbon cycle.
Autotrophs absorb inorganic carbon dioxide to generate energy-rich glucose molecules.
Establishes how carbon enters organic matter in the ecosystem.
2
Determine the pathway through which organisms release carbon back into the environment.
Both autotrophs (plants) and heterotrophs (animals) break down glucose using oxygen in cellular respiration, releasing carbon dioxide and water.
Differentiates metabolic energy extraction from photosynthetic synthesis.

Key Concept

Biological carbon cycling through photosynthesis and cellular respiration
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Ecology and Environment

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