Answer:
C. The rate of cellular respiration in the tank was much higher than
the rate of photosynthesis
Explanation:
In nature, cellular respiration and photosynthesis are opposite metabolic reactions. Cellular respiration, which is the process of releasing energy, requires oxygen while photosynthesis, which is the process of manufacturing foods by green plants, releases oxygen into the atmosphere. The two equations are as follows:
Photosynthesis:
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H1206 + 6O2 (oxygen released)
Respiration:
C6H1206 + 6O2 (oxygen used) → 6CO2 + 6H2O
According to this question, 10 snails and two small aquatic plants were added to a closed glass tank half full with water. It was observed that all the snails died. This is most likely due to the fact that the rate of cellular respiration in the tank was much higher than the rate of photosynthesis.
In other words, the usage of oxygen via cellular respiration was much higher than the release of oxygen via photosynthesis.
