Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are processes living cells use to get energy. We wouldn't be alive without them! Are you ready to learn more?
SCIENCE CLASS
A lot happens in the chloroplast! Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) enter the chloroplast and with sunlight they are converted into glucose (C6H12O6) (a high energy suger) and oxygen (O2). Carbon dioxide and water are called the reactants, and glucose and oxygen are called the products.
First, let's look at photosynthesis! To learn how it works, we need to get to where it happens, the chloroplast! Chloroplasts are found only in plant cells.
CHLOROPLAST
Light energy is captured by the chlorophyll
6CO2+6H2O+light--C6H12O6+6O2
Here is a diagram of photosynthesis:
Light-Dependent Reactions occur
Water (H2O)
Oxygen (O2)
NADPH
ATP
NADP+
ADP+P
Calvin Cycle takes place
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Glucose (C6H12O6)
Chloroplast
(energy is stored)
There are three cycles of cellular respiration. The first of these, glycolysis, is anaerobic (doesn't use oxygen) and takes place in the cytoplasm. The second and third stages, The Krebs Cycle and the Electron Transport Chain, are aerobic (use oxygen), and take place in the mitochondria. The reactants (or inputs) of cellular respiration are glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). The products (or outputs) are carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O), as well as ATP (energy).
Now that we understand photosynthesis, let's look at cellular respiration! Cellular respiration is the process during which cells convert energy stored in glucose into usable energy. Both animal and plant cells perform cellular respiration.
[cytoplasm]
Glycolysis
Here is a diagram of cellular respiration:
Glucose (C6H12O6)
2 ATP
Pyruvate
C6H12O6+6O2--6CO2+6H2O+36 ATP
2 ATP
Krebs Cycle
mitochondrion
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Electron Transport Chain
34 ATP
Oxygen (O2)
Water (H2O)
Now we understand photosynthesis and cellular respiration! But how do they fit together? In a sense, they depend on each other. You may have noticed that the reactants of cellular respiration are the products of photosynthesis, and the reactants of photosynthesis are the products of cellular respiration. Because of this, each process is constantly turning the waste of the other process into the inputs it needs to function. Without one system, the other would not be able to occur.
Cellular Respiration
Carbon dioxide, water
Glucose, oxygen
Photosynthesis
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