Question

Write a minimum 5 – paragraph argumentative essay exploring ONE of the following topics. Ensure that you choose a side to argue and present documented facts to support your arguments. Also, include a bibliography with at least three different sources of information. A rubric is included to guide your final product. 100 MARKS

Summarize the importance of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to life on Earth. Which important points are increasing or decreasing as a result of human activity

Answer 1

Title: Importance of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to life on Earth and impact of human activities

Photosynthesis is defined as an important biological process that involves conversion of light energy into chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates using pigments (Chlorophyll) and carbon dioxide.This is the sole process on the surface of the earth which is main source of our food as well as energy.The chlorophy pigments ued in the process of the photosynthesis are are themselves produced from a cellular cascade with more than 17 steps.

The end product of the photosynthesis is in the form of carbohydrate biomolecules, these organic biomolecules act as reservoir of energy which is later on used in cellular respiration. During cellular respiration, there is release of CO2 which is later on used by the photosynthetic reactions.

The levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide are maintained under stable levels when these both processes work in sync with one another. However, if the balance of exchange of CO2 and O2 becomes then there will be severe effect on the photosynthesis which subsequently could result in the loss of plant life and inturn would not generate enough oxygen for the life of other organisms on the earth including the human beings. This point when there is an atmospheric balance of both carbon dioxide and oxygen is known as compensation point and at this point the availability of Co2 becomes null to the plants and thus results in decrease in the food production as well as production of oxygen.

The absence of oxygen on the surface of the earth would reduce the number of living organisms on the surface of the earth. The activity of human beings with respect to the industrial revolution, change of living style, deforestation has resulted in the shift of the natural balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen levels. The human activities have released more Co2 levels in the atmosphere, with increase in the surface temperature of the earth known as global warming. This process of global warming is creating havoc with respect to the melting of the glacier resviours and increase in the sea water levels with consequences of frequent floods. Further, due to more global deforestation, lesser levels of oxygen is being produced by the plants. Therefore, the maintaing the balance of photosynthesis and cellularrespiration is pivotal for sustainable existence of living beings.

References:

1. Socolow, R.H., 2005. Can we bury global warming?. Scientific American, 293(1), pp.49-55.

2. Teiz, L. and Zeiger, E., 2002. Plant physiology. Sunderland, Massachusetts.

3. Pfanz, H., Vodnik, D., Wittmann, C., Aschan, G., Batic, F., Turk, B. and Macek, I., 2007. Photosynthetic performance (CO2-compensation point, carboxylation efficiency, and net photosynthesis) of timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.) is affected by elevated carbon dioxide in post-volcanic mofette areas. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 61(1), pp.41-48.

4. Philander, S.G., 2008. Encyclopedia of global warming and climate change: AE (Vol. 1). Sage.