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Living organisms are the largest and most complex life forms on Earth. They carry out chemical reactions to create energy, which they need to survive. Biological processes like photosynthesis and cellular respiration are crucial for the survival of these organisms.
Photosynthesis is the process by which cells use light energy to convert CO2 into glucose, a type of sugar. Cellular respiration is the process by which cells use carbohydrates, oxygen, and other nutrients to produce energy.
These processes are vital for the survival of living organisms, and each one plays a unique role in sustaining life. They’re pretty similar in some aspects, along with a few differences.
The main difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is that photosynthesis uses light to convert solar energy into chemical energy, while cellular respiration uses glucose to produce energy.
Let’s discuss these complicated processes in detail.
Photosynthesis is one of the most critical processes on Earth because it helps produce your favorite foods.
It’s the process of using sunlight to create organic molecules from simple inorganic molecules. The process requires pigment-containing cells known as phytoliths to absorb light energy and turn it into chemical energy that plants can use to make food.
In broad terms, photosynthesis helps us convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into living things like trees and flowers.
Photosynthesis involves three basic steps: light absorption, conversion of light energy into chemical energy, and plant growth/manufacturing of food.
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells use energy to create glucose from sugar. Glucose is then used by cells to create ATP, which is a key energy molecule.
Cellular respiration occurs in several steps:
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two very different processes in cells.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some other organisms produce energy from light by using carbon dioxide and water to create glucose.
Cellular respiration is the process by which the cells use energy to convert food into molecules that the cells can use for energy.
There’re a few key differences between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Here is a table of comparison between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis | Cellular Respiration |
It occurs in the chloroplast present in the leaves of plants. | It occurs in the mitochondria of cells. |
Its end product is glucose. | Its end product is ATP. |
It needs sunlight. | It doesn’t need sunlight. |
It requires carbon dioxide along with water as a reactant. | It requires glucose along with oxygen as a reactant. |
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two processes involved in the working machinery of living organisms. They involve the conversion of energy into mass, each with unique features.
Here is a video clip comparing the process of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis is one of the earth’s most vital processes. Without it, it’s impossible to live. Without photosynthesis, the Earth would be a frozen wasteland; instead, its plants are constantly creating food to support all the life that occupies it.
Photosynthesis provides oxygen, which helps us breathe and prevents diseases like cancer from forming. It also produces glucose from carbon dioxide and water that’s essential for human and animal survival.
Cellular respiration is the process by which energy is extracted from food and converted into ATP, the primary energy molecule in cells.
Cellular respiration provides the chemical energy that fuels all cellular activities, such as growth, reproduction, and healing. Without cellular respiration, organisms would quickly die due to a lack of energy.
The role of cellular respiration in human health is significant. Cellular respiration helps produce energy vital for cell functioning and average tissue growth.
It also synthesizes key vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12 and iron. Inadequate cellular respiration can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and muscle weakness.
So, individuals need to make sure they get enough protein and carbs during their everyday diet so that their cells can properly break down these nutrients for cellular respiration purposes.
The main product of photosynthesis is glucose (C6H12O6), along with side products like oxygen.
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