Cytology: Animals and Plants

Running Head: Photosynthesis and Respiration 1

Photosynthesis and Respiration

The process in which carbon dioxide is transformed into organic compounds from sunlight is called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis, a natural process, offers every aerobic being on earth oxygen and also assists in maintaining a natural percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere (Cloud, David 2011). Human beings would not exist without this process. Photosynthesis also occurs in algae, plants, and certain bacteria. In contrast, respiration takes glucose (sugar), along with other organic compounds oxidizing them to develop carbon dioxide. Respiration is the metabolic reaction in organic cells, biochemical energy into adenosine triphosphate/ATP. Each cycle depends on the other, in order for the 'complete cycle' to transpire. When it comes to receiving energy from the foods we eat, photosynthesis stores the energy and respiration releases it. Both cycles are important to ensure continuous life on earth.

Photosynthesis and respiration are connected between plants and animals based on the reactants and products of both pathways by the usage of autotrophs and heterotrophs. An autotroph are organisms the have the ability to manufacture their own food ("Autotroph vs. Heterotroph" n.d.). Heterotroph organisms are essential in respiration and are not an element in photosynthesis. When it comes to the autotroph, this is done by the using the available substances, in their environment, with light (photosynthesis) or chemical energy (chemosynthesis).

Energy is transferred from sunlight to ATP/adenosine phosphate by energy being extracted from the ATP molecule. While in the cell, a reaction removes one of the phosphate

Running Head: Photosynthesis and Respiration 2

Photosynthesis and Respiration

groups, leaving behind ATP/adenosine diphosphate (Bergman, Jerry PhD. 1999). Once the conversion is made from ATP to ADP, the ADP is recycled in the mitochondria is revitalized and is then again ATP. When sugar is fragmented to create carbon dioxide and is then respired into gas, is respiration. The hydrogen in sugar is combined with oxygen to form water. The release energy is momentarily stored in the ATP. In order for cells to be provided energy, they must pass over the cell membrane. This would include fats and sugars.

Aerobic respiration makes large amounts of ATP, oxygen is still a necessity. In anaerobic conditions, organisms have the capability to metabolize glucose for the production of ATP ("The Pathways of Respiration" n.d.). This process is accomplished by utilizing fermentation. Fermenting