1: After comparing the chemical equations for aerobic respiration and photosynthesis, students are sometimes tempted to say:
Animals breathe by taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide, while plants breathe by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Questions

1. Why do plants need energy?
2. What is the molecule that provides cellular energy for these activities?
3. What is the equation for photosynthesis?
4. Does photosynthesis produce ATP that is used in the cellular activities described in your answer to question 1?
5. Where do plants get the ATP for cellular activities?
6. What is the equation for aerobic respiration?
7. Reflect on your answers to questions 1–6 and explain why the statement bolded above sounds right, but isn’t.