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Multiple Choice
Which term best describes the total rate of photosynthesis occurring in a given area over a specific period of time?
A
Gross primary productivity (GPP)
B
Respiratory quotient (RQ)
C
Net primary productivity (NPP)
D
Photosynthetic efficiency
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): GPP refers to the total amount of chemical energy produced by photosynthesis in a given area over a specific period of time. It includes all the energy captured by plants before any losses due to respiration.
Learn about Net Primary Productivity (NPP): NPP is the energy remaining after plants use some of the GPP for their own respiration. It represents the energy available to consumers in the ecosystem.
Understand the Respiratory Quotient (RQ): RQ is a ratio that measures the amount of carbon dioxide produced to the amount of oxygen consumed during respiration. It is not directly related to the rate of photosynthesis.
Explore Photosynthetic Efficiency: Photosynthetic efficiency refers to the percentage of light energy converted into chemical energy during photosynthesis. It is a measure of efficiency, not a rate of photosynthesis.
Compare the terms: Based on the definitions, Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is the term that best describes the total rate of photosynthesis occurring in a given area over a specific period of time.