Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two interconnected processes that form the basis of energy flow in ecosystems.
Photosynthesis is the process through which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose. During photosynthesis, the reactants are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). Using sunlight, these are transformed into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂). The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as: \[ 6 , CO₂ + 6 , H₂O + \text{light energy} \rightarrow C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 , O₂ \]
In this process, the products are glucose and oxygen.
Cellular respiration, on the other hand, is the process by which cells convert the glucose produced during photosynthesis back into usable energy. In cellular respiration, glucose and oxygen are the reactants, and these are broken down to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The overall equation for cellular respiration can be expressed as: \[ C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 , O₂ \rightarrow 6 , CO₂ + 6 , H₂O + \text{energy (ATP)} \]
In this process, the products are carbon dioxide, water, and energy.
In summary, the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is cyclical: the products of photosynthesis (glucose and oxygen) serve as the reactants for cellular respiration, while the products of cellular respiration (carbon dioxide and water) are the reactants for photosynthesis. This interplay sustains the flow of energy and matter through living systems.
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