Question

1. complete the following statement with the correct claim and reasoning: sediment in the water affects the process of... a. cellular respiration because the sediment prevents underwater plants from absorbing oxygen to break down food. b. photosynthesis because the sediment prevents underwater plants from absorbing oxygen to produce food. c. cellular respiration because the sediment blocks light energy needed by underwater plants to break down food. d. photosynthesis because the sediment blocks light energy needed by underwater plants to produce food. (image: effect of sediment - underwater scene with sediment, plants, fish, dissolved oxygen label)

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Cellular respiration in plants uses oxygen to break down food, but sediment blocking light (not oxygen absorption) affects photosynthesis, not respiration this way. Eliminate A.
• Option B: Photosynthesis produces food using light, not oxygen absorption. The reasoning here is incorrect (mentions absorbing oxygen for food production). Eliminate B.
• Option C: Cellular respiration breaks down food, but sediment blocks light (for photosynthesis), not directly for respiration's light need (respiration doesn't need light). Eliminate C.
• Option D: Photosynthesis requires light energy for plants to produce food (glucose). Sediment in water blocks light from reaching underwater plants, thus affecting photosynthesis. This matches the process and reasoning.

Answer:

D. photosynthesis because the sediment blocks light energy needed by underwater plants to produce food.