Question

part 3: what is responsible for the drop in dissolved oxygen?
we have traced the source of increases to dissolved oxygen, but have not yet figured out where all the oxygen went to cause the dead zone.

1. refer back to your initial model from question 1. explain which of the following processes you predicted was responsible for the decrease in dissolved oxygen? (choose one option below and explain how it is responsible for decreased levels of oxygen) (sep 2.3; dci: ls2.b; ccc: 4.3)

a. photosynthesis
b. cellular respiration
the cellular respiration was responsible for the decrease in dissolved oxygen. this is because
1.cellular respiration causes a drop in dissolved oxygen because living things like animals, plants and bacteria use oxygen to break down food and release energy

Explanation:

Cellular respiration is a process where organisms (animals, plants, bacteria) consume oxygen to break down organic matter (food) and release energy. This consumption of oxygen directly leads to a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels in the environment. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, produces oxygen as a by - product.

Answer:

b. Cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is responsible for decreased levels of oxygen because living organisms (animals, plants, bacteria) use oxygen during this process to break down food and release energy, thus consuming the dissolved oxygen.