Photosynthesis
* Chloroplasts: These are the primary sites of photosynthesis. They contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that captures light energy. Inside chloroplasts, the following processes occur:
* Light-dependent reactions: Capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH).
* Light-independent reactions (Calvin Cycle): Use the energy from ATP and NADPH to convert carbon dioxide into glucose (sugar).
Cellular Respiration
* Mitochondria: Often called the "powerhouses of the cell," mitochondria are the primary sites of cellular respiration. They have their own DNA and are involved in the following processes:
* Glycolysis: Breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP.
* Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle): Further breaks down pyruvate, generating electron carriers (NADH and FADH2).
* Electron Transport Chain: Utilizes the electron carriers to generate a large amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Key Point: While photosynthesis and cellular respiration are opposite processes (one produces glucose, the other breaks it down), they both rely on specific organelles to carry out these crucial functions.
