Question

explain why this statement is false: only heterotrophs perform cellular respiration.
what molecule do organisms need in order to perform cellular respiration?
what are the final products of cellular respiration?
which chemicals are recycled between the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis?

Explanation:

• Explanation of why the statement "Only heterotrophs perform cellular respiration" is false: Cellular respiration is a fundamental metabolic process that occurs in all living organisms (both autotrophs and heterotrophs) to convert organic molecules (like glucose) into energy (ATP). Autotrophs, such as plants, produce their own food (glucose) through photosynthesis but still need to break down that glucose via cellular respiration to release energy for their cellular activities.
• Molecule needed for cellular respiration: Organisms need glucose (or other organic molecules) and oxygen. Glucose is the fuel, and oxygen is the final electron acceptor in aerobic cellular respiration. The general equation for aerobic cellular respiration is \(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2 + 6H_2O+\text{Energy (ATP)}\).

• Final products of cellular respiration: The final products of aerobic cellular respiration are carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)), water (\(H_2O\)), and adenosine - triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the energy - carrying molecule that cells use for various functions.
• Chemicals recycled between cellular respiration and photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) and oxygen (\(O_2\)) are recycled. In photosynthesis, plants take in \(CO_2\) and water (\(H_2O\)) and produce glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) and \(O_2\). In cellular respiration, organisms take in \(O_2\) and glucose (or other organic molecules) and produce \(CO_2\) and \(H_2O\).

Answer:

• The statement "Only heterotrophs perform cellular respiration" is false because autotrophs also perform cellular respiration to convert the glucose they produce (e.g., through photosynthesis) into energy.
• Molecule needed: Glucose (or other organic molecules) and oxygen.
• Final products: Carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.
• Recycled chemicals: Carbon dioxide and oxygen.