Assignment #15

    Tropical rain forest cover only about 30% of the Earth's surface, but they are estimated to be responsible for more than 20% of global photosynthesis.  For this reason, rain forests are often referred to as the "lungs" of the planet, providing O2 for life all over the planet.  However, most experts feel that rain forests make little or no net contribution to global oxygen production.

    1) From your knowledge of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, can you explain why they might think this?

    2) What happens to food produced by a rain forest tree when it is eaten by an animal or the tree dies?