To solve this problem, let's analyze the given data and the relevant points carefully:
You are provided with the rates of carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced during the germination of peas at two different temperatures.
1. Germinating peas at [tex]\(10^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex] produce CO₂ at a rate of [tex]\(0.01 \, \text{mL/min}\)[/tex].
2. Germinating peas at [tex]\(20^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex] produce CO₂ at a rate of [tex]\(0.02 \, \text{mL/min}\)[/tex].
We need to derive the best conclusion from the following options:
1. The rate of cellular respiration in germinating peas is exactly one thousand times the rate of ATP production.
- This statement is speculative and not supported by the given data. We don’t have any information related to ATP production rates, and thus cannot make this comparison.
2. Germinating peas at [tex]\(10^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex] create carbon dioxide at a rate of [tex]\(0.01 \, \text{mL/min}\)[/tex] during ATP production.
- While it's true that they produce CO₂ at a rate of [tex]\(0.01 \, \text{mL/min}\)[/tex], this option does not provide a conclusive comparison between the rates of cellular respiration at different temperatures. It simply states a fact already given in the problem.
3. Germinating peas at [tex]\(20^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex] have a higher rate of cellular respiration than germinating peas at [tex]\(10^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex].
- This conclusion is supported by the data. The rate of CO₂ production at [tex]\(20^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex] (0.02 mL/min) is higher than at [tex]\(10^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex] (0.01 mL/min). Since CO₂ is a by-product of cellular respiration, a higher production rate indicates a higher rate of cellular respiration.
4. The rate of cellular respiration cannot be measured without knowing the rate of ATP production.
- This statement is incorrect in the context of the given data. The rate of cellular respiration can indeed be inferred from the rate of CO₂ production, as CO₂ is a direct by-product of the respiration process.
Therefore, the best conclusion supported by the data is:
Germinating peas at [tex]\(20^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex] have a higher rate of cellular respiration than germinating peas at [tex]\(10^\circ \text{C}\)[/tex].
