Question

Discuss why photosynthesis and cellular respiration can be described as a cycle.

Answer 1

The relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is often described as cyclic because the products of one process are used as the reactants for the other. Photosynthesis produces carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, incorporating light energy into the bonds of the carbohydrates. If we notice, the equation for cellular respiration is the direct opposite of photosynthesis:

• Cellular Respiration: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
• Photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6+ 6O2

Photosynthesis makes the glucose that is used in cellular respiration to make ATP. The glucose is then turned back into carbon dioxide, which is used in photosynthesis. While water is broken down to form oxygen during photosynthesis, in cellular respiration oxygen is combined with hydrogen to form water. While photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, cellular respiration requires oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. It is the released oxygen that is used by us and most other organisms for cellular respiration. We breathe in that oxygen, which is carried through our blood to all our cells. In our cells, oxygen allows cellular respiration to proceed. Cellular respiration works best in the presence of oxygen. Without oxygen, much less ATP would be produced.

Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are important parts of the carbon cycle. The carbon cycle is the pathways through which carbon is recycled in the biosphere. While cellular respiration releases carbon dioxide into the environment, photosynthesis pulls carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen during photosynthesis and cellular respiration worldwide helps to keep atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide at stable levels.