Why do we say that cellular respiration and photosynthesis are opposite processes?

Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

Comparison chart
Definitions of photosynthesis and respiration
Processes involved
Site of Reactions
Reaction kinetics
Video comparing Photosynthesis and Respiration
References
Why is cellular respiration and photosynthesis opposite from each other?
Is the cellular respiration process the opposite of the photosynthetic process?
Why are cellular respiration and photosynthesis considered opposite reactions quizlet?

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

1st EditionMichelle Provost-Craig, Susan J. Hall, William C. Rose

1,678 solutions

Miller and Levine Biology

1st EditionJoseph S. Levine, Kenneth R. Miller

1,773 solutions

Glencoe Health

1st EditionMcGraw-Hill Education

1,843 solutions

Biology Study Workbook A

1st EditionKenneth R. Miller, Levine

2,875 solutions

Photosynthesis and respiration are reactions that complement each other in the environment. They are in reality the same reactions but occurring in reverse. While in photosynthesis carbon dioxide and water yield glucose and oxygen, through the respiration process glucose and oxygen yield carbon dioxide and water.

They work well since living organisms supply plants with carbon dioxide which undergoes photosynthesis and produces glucose and these plants and bacteria give out oxygen which all living organisms need for respiration.

Comparison chart

Cellular Respiration versus Photosynthesis comparison chart

	Cellular Respiration	Photosynthesis
Production of ATP	Yes; theoretical yield is 38 ATP molecules per glucose but actual yield is only about 30-32.	Yes
Reactants	C6H12O6 and 6O2	6CO2 and 12H2O and light energy
Requirement of sunlight	Sunlight not required; cellular respiration occurs at all times.	Can occur only in presence of sunlight
Chemical Equation (formula)	6O2 + C6H12O6 --> 6CO2 +6H2O + ATP (energy)	6CO2 + 12H2O + light --> C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H20
Process	Production of ATP via oxidation of organic sugar compounds. [1] glycolosis: breaking down of sugars; occurs in cytoplasm [2] Krebs Cycle: occurs in mitochondria; requires energy [3] Electron Transport Chain-- in mitochondria; converts O2 to water.	The production of organic carbon (glucose and starch) from inorganic carbon (carbon dioxide) with the use of ATP and NADPH produced in the light dependent reaction
Fate of oxygen and carbon dioxide	Oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released.	Carbon dioxide is absorbed and oxygen is released.
Energy required or released?	Releases energy in a step wise manner as ATP molecules	Requires energy
Main function	Breakdown of food. Energy release.	Production of food. Energy Capture.
Chemical reaction	Glucose is broken down into water and carbon dioxide (and energy).	Carbon dioxide and water combine in presence of sunlight to produce glucose and oxygen.
Stages	4 stages: Glycolysis, Linking Reaction (pyruvate oxidation), Krebs cycle, Electron Transport Chain (oxidative phosphorylation).	2 stages: The light dependent reaction, light independent reaction. (AKA light cycle & calvin cycle)
What powers ATP synthase	H+ proton gradient across the inner mitochondria membrane into matrix. High H+ concentration in the intermembrane space.	H+ gradient across thylakoid membrane into stroma. High H+ concentration in the thylakoid lumen
Products	6CO2 and 6H2O and energy(ATP)	C6 H12 O6 (or G3P) and 6O2 and 6H20
What pumps protons across the membrane	Electron transport chain. Electrochemical gradient creates energy that the protons use to flow passively synthesizing ATP.	Electron transport chain
Occurs in which organelle?	Mitochondria Glycolysis (cytoplasm)	Chloroplasts
Final electron receptor	O2 (Oxygen gas)	NADP+ (forms NADPH )
Occurs in which organisms?	Occurs in all living organisms (plants and animals).	Occurs in plants, protista (algae), and some bacteria.
Electron source	Glucose, NADH + , FADH2	Oxidation H2O at PSII
Catalyst - A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction	No catalyst is required for respiration reaction.	Reaction takes places in presence of chlorophyll.
High electron potential energy	From breaking bonds	From light photons.

Definitions of photosynthesis and respiration

Photosynthesis is a process in photoautotrophs that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. Respiration is the set of metabolic reactions that take in cells of living organisms that convert nutrients like sugar into ATP (adenosine tri phosphate) and waste products.

Processes involved

Processes in photosynthesis are divided on basis of requirement of sunlight while respiration processes are divided on basis of requirement of oxygen. Hence in photosynthesis you have the light dependent reactions and the dark reactions while in respiration there is aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.

In photosynthesis light dependent reactions, ultra violet light strikes chlorophyll pigments which excites electrons leading to separation of oxygen molecules from carbon dioxide. In the dark reactions, carbon molecules now independent of oxygen are converted into carbohydrates and stored in plant cells as energy and food source. In aerobic cellular respiration oxygen is utilized to convert organic compounds into energy and in anaerobic respiration converts organic compounds into energy without using oxygen.

Site of Reactions

Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts and organelles of a plant cell. Respiration takes place in the cytoplasm and mitochondria in the cell of a living organism.

Reaction kinetics

The electron acceptor in photosynthesis is NAD+ while in respiration the electron acceptor is NADH. In cellular respiration reaction 36 molecules of ATP are produced in complete oxidation of one molecule of glucose.

Video comparing Photosynthesis and Respiration

References

Wikipedia: Photosynthesis
Wikipedia: Cellular respiration

Follow
Share
Cite
Authors

Share this comparison:

If you read this far, you should follow us:

"Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration." Diffen.com. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. 17 Nov 2022. < >

Why is cellular respiration and photosynthesis opposite from each other?

Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are almost opposite processes because in photosynthesis, the sugar glucose is formed and in cellular respiration, glucose is broken apart. The purpose of photosynthesis is to use the sun's energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.

Is the cellular respiration process the opposite of the photosynthetic process?

Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are direct opposite reactions. Energy from the sun enters a plant and is converted into glucose during photosynthesis. Some of the energy is used to make ATP in the mitochondria during cellular respiration, and some is lost to the environment as heat.

Why are cellular respiration and photosynthesis considered opposite reactions quizlet?

In what ways are cellular respiration and photosynthesis considered opposite processes? Photosynthesis "deposits" energy, uses carbon dioxide and water, and produces oxygen and glucose. By contrast, cellular respiration "withdraws" energy, uses oxygen and glucose, and produces carbon dioxide and water.