Sunday, November 27, 2011

Comparing Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis


Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O + energy -> 6O2+ C6H12O6
The first image above, briefly describes the process of photosynthesis. 
Photosynthesis is the process where the light energy of the sun is converted into chemical energy stored in organic molecules. With autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition, organisms obtain the organic molecules they require for energy and carbon skeletons.  Autotrophs make their own food and "feed themselves", while heterotrophs are consumers and they do no make their own food or "feed themselves".  This process involves the Calvin cycle, the electron transport chain, chemiosmosis, photophosphorylation, water and more.


Cellular Respiration 
6O2 + C6H12O6 --> 6H2O + 6CO2 + energy
The second image above represents the process of cellular respiration
It is the most common catabolic pathway that uses oxygen in the breakdown of glucose or other energy-rich organic compounds to gain energy in the form of ATP. This type of process is an exergonic process where there  is a free energy change of -686 kcal/mol of glucose.  This process involves fermentation, glycolysis, the Kreb cycle, electron transport chain, chemiosmosis, and more


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