Question

Describe the ecological relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Answer 1

Answer:

All aerobic living organisms require oxygen, which is produced by the plants through a process called respiration. This process mainly produces food by using CO2 & H2O and light energy. Plants are the only organisms that can convert the light energy into chemical energy. Thus plants provide food for herbivores and subsequently (indirectly) to carnivores. Thus photosynthesis is very important for the growth and maintainance of living organisms in an ecosystem.

Cellular respiration use oxygen and glucose (food) molecule and produce energy for the growth and development of each and every living organism. It produces CO2 & H2O. The CO2 is released into the atomosphere, which is essential for the input of photosynthesis.

Thus both photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interrelated and are said to be complementary processes.

Photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O à C6H12O6 + 6O2

Respiration: C6H12O6 + 6O2 à 6CO2 + 6H2O