Biology: Photosynthesis And Respiration

A. Were the seeds in the “N” tube undergoing both photosynthesis and respiration, only photosynthesis, or only respiration? Use your results in Data Table 2 to support your answer.
The seeds in test tube "N" underwent respiration. Respiration is always happening. As stated in the background of the lab, "seeds are considered to be in a period of dormancy, where they metabolize stored energy at a very slow rate while the seed is still considered alive" (Hands On Labs). During germination, the developing plant embryo uses the stored food supply in the seed for cellular energy and growth. Thus, cellular respiration is taking place as the seeds grow. Without water the seeds cannot begin germinating thus the seeds in test tube N did not undergo photosynthesis(Hands On Labs).

B. Were the seeds in the “G” tube undergoing both photosynthesis and respiration, only photosynthesis, or only respiration? Use your results in Data Table 2 to support your answer.

All organisms use food molecules, like glucose to produce ATP. The production of ATP occurs during cellular respiration. ATP provides the cells with energy that is necessary to produce oxygen. The seeds/plants are autotrophic organisms, which produce their food from the energy that the light provides them. To release the stored energy within the food molecules, the germinated seeds carry out respiration and the release of carbon dioxide. Oxygen was being consumed and carbon dioxide was being released because the water level in test tube “G” continued to