Chapter 7, Problem 1SQ

Is the following statement true or false? Unlike animals, which make many $\text{ATP}$ by aerobic respiration, plants make all of their $\text{ATP}$ by photosynthesis.

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Whether the statement that “plants produce $\text{ATP}$ by photosynthesis only” is true or not.

Introduction:

Every organism present in the environment requires energy to sustain. $\text{ATP}$ stands for “Adenosine Triphosphate.” It provides energy to the body of an organism. Plants can prepare their food by a process known as photosynthesis. Photosynthesis also helps in the production of $\text{ATP}$.

Answer to Problem 1SQ

Correct answer:

The given statement “plants produce $\text{ATP}$ by photosynthesis only,” is false.

Explanation of Solution

Plants perform photosynthesis to produce food. They use water and carbon dioxide and convert them into oxygen and sugar. This type of conversion produces some molecules of $\text{ATP}$. Photosynthesis produces energy, and this energy is stored in the form of $\text{ATP}$.

However, it has been observed that the products of photosynthesis create aerobic conditions. The process that occurs in the presence of oxygen is termed as aerobic processes. Oxygen is one of the products formed by photosynthesis. As a result, plants start performing aerobic respiration to create energy. This indicates that plants produce $\text{ATP}$ by two processes, photosynthesis, and aerobic respiration.