What is the difference between photosynthesis versus cellular respiration?

Photosynthesis is the way which plants make food for themselves from raw materials and light energy, and make chemical energy in the process.

They are like opposite of each other.

The chemical equation for photosynthesis is:

The chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration is:

Sources:

https://tutor.hix.ai

https://tutor.hix.ai

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down glucose and other organic molecules to produce ATP, which releases energy that the cell can use. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two fundamental processes in living organisms, but they have distinct roles and mechanisms.

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen, using sunlight as the primary energy source. The overall equation for photosynthesis is:

[6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{light energy} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2]

On the other hand, cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down glucose and other organic molecules to release energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells. In cellular respiration, glucose and oxygen are used to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. The overall equation for cellular respiration is:

[C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{energy (ATP)}]

In summary, the main difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration lies in their functions and the direction of energy flow. Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy (glucose), while cellular respiration releases energy from glucose to fuel cellular activities. Additionally, photosynthesis produces oxygen as a byproduct, whereas cellular respiration consumes oxygen. These two processes are interconnected in the biosphere, as the oxygen produced during photosynthesis is used in cellular respiration, and the carbon dioxide produced in cellular respiration is used in photosynthesis.