Photosynthesis Vs. Cellular Respiration

Main Difference – Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two basic metabolic processes occurring in the energy conversion of ecosystems. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and water are used in the synthesis of organic compounds with the aid of sunlight. The process of photosynthesis is used by plants and other photosynthetic organisms to produce energy, whereas the process of cellular respiration breaks down the energy for use. Despite the differences between these two processes, there are some similarities. For example, both processes synthesize and use ATP, the energy currency.

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Introduction Cells are the basic units of life and their processes are vital to the functioning of all organism. The reactions of photosynthesis and cellular respiration are complimentary and are also the most important pathways on the Earth. Photosynthesis is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds in presence of sunlight. Cellular respiration is the set of metabolic reactions that take in cells of living organisms that convert nutrients like sugar into energy , which is known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate), and waste products. The two processes are closely related and likewise, they share many similarities and differences Processes in a Nutshell The main difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is that photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast and cellular respiration takes place in the mitchondrion. Plants contain mitochondria and chloroplasts so both they may undergo both processes. However, animals and other heterotrophs undergo cellular respiration, but not photosynthesis. In a nutshell, the purpose of these processes is to convert free energy into ATP. Discovery of PhotosynthesisThe beginning of the discovery of photosynthesis began in the mid-17th century when J.B. Van Helmont carefully measured the mass of the soil used by a plant and the mass of the plant as it grew. After this noticed that the soil mass changed very little. He then hypothesized that the mass of the growing plant must come from the water.

What are some differences and similarities between photosynthesis and respiration?

Compare and contrast the major pathways of photosynthesis and respiration.

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Similarities ..

→ Both involve in production of energy

→ Both involve the exchange of gases

→ Both the process takes place in cell organelle which was considered as endosymbiotic organism. They are chloroplast and Mitochondria, Photosynthesis takes place in Chloroplast where as respiration takes place in mitochondria.

→ At critical condition both have alternate pathway.

Differences..

→Photosynthesis takes place in chloroplast, where as respiration takes place in mitochondria.

→Photosynthesis involve production of carbohydrate and respiration involve breaking of carbohydrate.

→ Photosynthesis occur only during presence of sunlight where as respiration occurs all the time.

→ In photosynthesis process Oxygen is released where as in respiration Oxygen is utilised.

These are the main differences between Photosynthesis and respiration.

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Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are the two major processes by which animal and plant cells supply themselves with energy to carry out their life processes. They may be thought of as mirror images of each other; together they represent a 'win-win' situation in the game of life. Cellular respiration takes a glucose molecule and combines it with oxygen; the result is energy in the form of ATP, along with carbon dioxide and water as waste products. Photosynthesis takes carbon dioxide and combines it with water, enabled by radiant energy, usually from the sun. The end result is glucose, with oxygen being the waste product. The two processes are..

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