Question

activator ~ 2 min
highlight the correct answer
plants and animals play major roles in cycling materials in
ecosystems. the diagram below represents one particular cycle.
letters w and y represent different processes. letters x and z
represent different gasses. which of the following statements
correctly identifies part of this cycle?
a. letter w represents cellular respiration.
b. letter x represents oxygen gas.
c. letter y represents transpiration.
d. letter z represents nitrogen gas.

Explanation:

• Cellular respiration is a process where organisms (like animals and plants) break down glucose to release energy, and it produces carbon dioxide.
• Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from plants (not related to gas exchange in the way described here).
• Nitrogen gas is not the main gas in this basic plant - animal gas exchange cycle.
• In the carbon - oxygen cycle, plants take in carbon dioxide (\(Z\)) for photosynthesis (\(W\)) and produce oxygen (\(X\)). Animals take in oxygen (\(X\)) for cellular respiration (\(Y\)) and produce carbon dioxide (\(Z\)).

Answer:

B. Letter X represents oxygen gas.