Photosynthesis
* Carbon Dioxide (CO2): The primary source of carbon for the process. It's absorbed from the atmosphere by plants.
* Glucose (C6H12O6): The sugar produced by photosynthesis. It's the primary energy source for plants and other organisms.
* Water (H2O): Water is a reactant in photosynthesis and provides the hydrogen atoms used to form glucose.
Respiration
* Glucose (C6H12O6): The primary fuel source for respiration. It's broken down to release energy.
* Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A byproduct of respiration, released into the atmosphere.
* Water (H2O): Water is a product of respiration.
Other Important Molecules
* Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP): A 5-carbon sugar involved in the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis.
* Pyruvate (C3H4O3): A 3-carbon molecule produced during glycolysis, the first stage of respiration.
* Acetyl-CoA (C2H3O-SCoA): A 2-carbon molecule formed from pyruvate and used in the Krebs cycle.
* ATP (adenosine triphosphate): A high-energy molecule used by cells to power various processes. Although not a carbon source itself, it contains a ribose sugar (a 5-carbon carbohydrate).
Key Takeaway
Carbon is a fundamental element in both photosynthesis and respiration. It is cycled between these processes, moving from the atmosphere to organisms and back again.
