What is the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are fundamentally interconnected processes that play crucial roles in the energy cycles of ecosystems. The correct answer highlights that the products of photosynthesis serve as the reactants for cellular respiration and vice versa.

During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and some bacteria convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, using sunlight as an energy source. The equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as:

6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂

In cellular respiration, organisms—including plants and animals—use glucose and oxygen to produce energy in the form of ATP, releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. The equation for cellular respiration follows as:

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + ATP

These equations illustrate the cyclical nature of carbon and energy flow within ecosystems. Hence, this demonstrates the strong interdependence between the two processes, where the outputs of photosynthesis directly fuel cellular respiration, and the byproducts of cellular respiration are then utilized in photosynthesis. Understanding this connection is essential in ecology, as it emphasizes the relationship between producers and consumers