Difference Between Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration: Types, Transformation, Comparison, Chart

What Are Photosynthesis And Cellular Respiration?

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are the biological activities that keep life going on Earth. In photosynthesis, light energy is converted into chemical energy in which glucose and oxygen become the byproducts of carbon dioxide and water in green plants, algae, and some bacteria. It goes on in the chloroplasts of these organisms.

On the other hand, cellular respiration is when cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. It mostly happens in the mitochondria of eukaryote cells. In both processes, there is the flow of energy in biological systems: photosynthesis captures it and stores it from sunlight, while cellular respiration releases this stored energy for use by the organism. Together they are the cycle that feeds the activities of living organisms and at the same time balances the gases in the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a process in which green plants, algae, and some bacteria transform light energy into chemical energy; it produces glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water. This key process takes place in plant cells and other photosynthetic organisms in organelles called chloroplasts. Photosynthesis can be split into two major steps: light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle.

In light-dependent reactions, sunlight is absorbed by pigments like chlorophyll and others, which starts the production of ATP and NADPH through the splitting of water molecules into oxygen gas. The Calvin cycle involves using this ATP and NADPH to turn carbon dioxide into glucose, an energy-rich molecule needed by living organisms to sustain life. Photosynthesis is of prime importance to life here on Earth because it is the source of energy.

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration refers to that major metabolic process which involves converting glucose and oxygen into energy in the form of ATP, carbon dioxide, and water. The process mainly takes place within the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. This process is crucial in providing the energy to maintain the various activities in the cell and is summarized in three stages or steps: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

In glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate within the cytoplasm, producing a small amount of ATP. The pyruvate formed subsequently enters the mitochondria, where, via the citric acid cycle, electron carriers are produced. These carriers transport electrons to the electron transport chain, where most ATPs are produced during the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Cellular respiration is important for the survival of aerobic organisms because it is an effective way of extracting energy from organic molecules to power cellular functions.

Comparison Of Photosynthesis And Cellular Respiration

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