TIPS : Similar to VS Just as

Although fruit can no longer grow once it is picked, it continues for some time to respire, taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide, similar to the way human beings breathe. 

(A) similar to the way human beings breathe 
(B) similarly to human beings who are breathing 
(C) just like the breathing of human beings 
(D) as human beings when breathing 
(E) just as human beings do when they breathe

"Like" and "similar to" mean much the same thing. "Just" before "like" means "exactly". So the difference between "just like" and "similar to" is a matter of degree. 

You are similar to your father. You and he have some similarities. 
You are just like your father. You and he are exactly the same. 

But for this SC item I would not choose "similar to" or "just like". The best response here is E. The sentence is pointing out that fruit respires by taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide and that humans breathe in the same way, so the conjunction "as" is appropriate.