Photosynthesis
* Reactants:
* Carbon dioxide (CO2): The source of carbon for building sugars.
* Water (H2O): Provides electrons and hydrogen ions.
* Light energy: The driving force for the reactions.
* Products:
* Glucose (C6H12O6): A simple sugar, the primary product of photosynthesis.
* Oxygen (O2): A byproduct released into the atmosphere.
Respiration
* Reactants:
* Glucose (C6H12O6): The energy-rich molecule broken down.
* Oxygen (O2): Used as an electron acceptor.
* Products:
* Carbon dioxide (CO2): Released as a waste product.
* Water (H2O): A byproduct of the reactions.
* ATP (adenosine triphosphate): The primary energy currency of cells.
* Heat: Some energy is released as heat.
Key Molecules to Note:
* Chlorophyll: The green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy.
* ATP: The energy currency of cells, produced in both photosynthesis and respiration.
* NADPH: An electron carrier used in photosynthesis to transfer electrons.
* NADH and FADH2: Electron carriers used in respiration to transfer electrons.
The Interplay
Notice how the products of photosynthesis (glucose and oxygen) become the reactants of respiration, and the products of respiration (carbon dioxide and water) become the reactants of photosynthesis. This illustrates the crucial link between these two processes, creating a cyclical flow of energy and matter within an ecosystem.
