Yes, respiration is performed by organisms that are incapable of photosynthesis. In fact, all living organisms perform respiration, regardless of whether they can photosynthesize or not.

Here's why:

* Respiration is the process of breaking down food molecules (like sugars) to release energy. This energy is essential for all life processes, including growth, movement, and maintaining internal balance.

* Photosynthesis is the process of using sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars. This is how plants and some bacteria produce their own food.

* Organisms that cannot photosynthesize, like animals, fungi, and many bacteria, obtain their food by consuming other organisms. They then break down this food through respiration to get the energy they need.

So, while photosynthesis is a way to produce food, respiration is the universal process of obtaining energy from that food, regardless of the food source.