Photosynthesis And Respiration

In photosynthesis, light energy is transformed into chemical energy, thus chemical energy is the product. This is different from respiration because respiration transforms chemical energy into energy usable by cells; in this case chemical energy is the source. Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts, using the chlorophyll inside of the chloroplasts, while respiration occurs in the mitochondria. Photosynthesis produces oxygen as a by-product, while aerobic respiration requires oxygen to even work. Photosynthesis produces NADPH2 in its workings, while aerobic respiration produces NADH+. Photosynthesis includes two processes, light reactions and dark reactions (Calvin Cycle). Aerobic respiration involves glycolysis, the Kreb's Cycle. The only process they have in common is the electron transport chain, which involves different molecules and transfers in aerobic respiration and photosynthesis.

The overall equation for photosynthesis is 6 CO2 + 12 H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O. This means its reactants are 6 parts CO2, 12 parts H2O, and light. When combined in those proportions, they become 6 parts O2 and 6 parts H2O (After going through photosynthesis).

The overall equation for aerobic respiration is C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy. This means its reactants are one part C6H12O6 and 6 parts O2, while the products are 6 parts CO2, 6 parts H2O, and energy (After going through aerobic respiration). The energy comes in the form of ATP.

2 of photosynthesis's products are C6H12O6 and O2, which are also the requirements for aerobic respiration. 2 of aerobic respiration's products are CO2 and H2O, which are also the reactants in photosynthesis. This means that the two complement each other very well, and each process allows the other to continue working, which in return allows the first process to continue as well.