The correct answer is: They are opposite processes.
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interconnected but serve opposite functions.
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Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and some bacteria, where sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The overall equation is: \[ \text{6 CO}_2 + \text{6 H}_2\text{O} \xrightarrow{\text{light}} \text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6 + \text{6 O}_2 \]
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Cellular respiration is a process that occurs in cells of all living organisms (including plants) where glucose and oxygen are used to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP). The overall equation is: \[ \text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6 + \text{6 O}_2 \rightarrow \text{6 CO}_2 + \text{6 H}_2\text{O} + \text{energy (ATP)} \]
In summary, photosynthesis captures energy and stores it in glucose, while cellular respiration releases that stored energy for use by the cell.
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