How do the processes of photosynthesis and respiration work together to support life on earth?

photosynthesis the process where plants use light energy from the Sun to make food

cellular respiration the process where glucose is broken down to release energy

chloroplasts organelles which use the energy from the sun to make food for plants

Chloroplasts Within the cells of the leaves the chlorophyll-containing organelles called chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis. Life on Earth depends on photosynthesis. Without it there would be no green plants, and without green plants there would be no animal life.

Chlorophyll Chlorophyll is a green photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Chlorophyll is an essential component of photosynthesis, which helps plants get energy from light.

Chloroplasts A single square inch (6.5 square centimeters) of an elm leaf may have 250 million chloroplasts, and a mature elm tree may have 100,000 leaves.

Glucose The sugar molecule formed in this process is glucose, a simple sugar. Enormous numbers of such molecules are produced in every chloroplast during each second of sunlight. Some of the glucose produced during photosynthesis is used by the plant in the process of respiration to generate other forms of energy.

The tiny openings called stomata usually occur on the lower surface of the leaf. Stomata permit gases to enter the leaf and permit gases and water vapor to leave the leaf. If the stomata were on the side of the leaf exposed to sunlight, the leaf would lose too much water.

mitochondria the powerhouse of the cell which releases energy from food

photosynthesis Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are opposite processes. Photosynthesis is the making of glucose using energy from the Sun.

cellular respiration Cellular respiration is the process of burning glucose/sugar for energy. Almost all living things use cellular respiration. Plants also have mitochondria. They also convert sugar into energy. Plants also go through cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis What is it? What is the purpose? the process where plants make food Where does it take place? only in the chloroplasts of plant cells (or in plant-like organisms)

Photosynthesis What is needed or required? energy from the Sun water from rain or some other source carbon dioxide from the air

Photosynthesis What is produced? glucose (sugar) which is the plant’s food oxygen that is released into the air animation

Photosynthesis Purpose the process where plants make food Takes place in takes place only in the chloroplasts of plant cells Requires energy from the Sun water from rain or some other source carbon dioxide from the air Produces Glucose (sugar) which is the plant’s food Oxygen that is released into the air

Cellular Respiration What is it? What is the purpose? the process where energy is taken out of food Where does it take place? takes place only in the mitochondria of all cells

Cellular Respiration What is needed? glucose (sugar) from food oxygen from the air

Cellular Respiration What is produced? energy for the cell water (vapor) and other substances carbon dioxide which is released into the air animation

Photosynthesis Respiration Purpose the process where plants make food the process where energy is taken out of food Takes place in takes place only in the chloroplasts of plant cells takes place only in the mitochondria of all cells Requires energy from the Sun (sunlight) water carbon dioxide glucose /sugar (from food oxygen (from the air) Produces glucose /sugar oxygen (that is released into the air) energy for the cell carbon dioxide (which is released into the air)

How are the two processes connected?

The oxygen that animals use for respiration was put into the air by plants from the process of photosynthesis.

The carbon dioxide that plants use for photosynthesis was put into the air by animals from the process of respiration.

It is a mutually beneficial relationship. (They help each other.) The waste products of plants/ photosynthesis are needed by animals; the waste products of respiration are needed by plants.