Question

A researcher is monitoring a colony of single-celled organisms and notes that the colony is releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) and using up oxygen (O2) in the closed clear glass container in which it is being kept. Which of the following can be assumed about these organisms from these observations? They are releasing energy from organic molecules through aerobic respiration. They are storing energy in organic molecules through photosynthesis. They are releasing energy from organic molecules through anaerobic fermentation. They are storing energy in organic molecules through aerobic respiration.

Answer 1

They are releasing energy from organic molecules through aerobic respiration. In cell respiration, you are releasing energy, and in this case you are releasing energy from organic molecules. Because they are a single-celled organism using oxygen and releasing carbon, the process being used is aerobic respiration.