Plants release oxygen which is a by-product of photosynthesis, and we breathe in oxygen so that our cells can carry out cellular respiration and generate ATP.
Respiration and photosynthesis are biological reactions in the environment that complement each other. Both are similar reactions that occur in a specific manner. In the process of respiration, oxygen and glucose yield water and carbon dioxide, while carbon dioxide and water yields glucose and oxygen during the process of photosynthesis.
Both cellular respiration and photosynthesis are parts of a mutually beneficial relationship. Photosynthesis cannot occur without cellular respiration and cellular respiration certainly cannot occur without the photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are in many respects the “reverse” of one another. Photosynthesis is an anabolic process, whereas cellular respiration is a catabolic process. Let us explore more differences between cellular respiration and photosynthesis
Differences between Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis
| Cellular Respiration | Photosynthesis |
| Occurs in all living organisms. | Occurs only in phototrophs (all green plants, algae, and some bacteria). |
| The entire process occurs in Mitochondria. | The entire process occurs in Chloroplasts. |
| Glucose and oxygen are the reactants of this process. | Carbon dioxide, water, and light energy are the reactants of this process. |
| Carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP) are the by-products. | Glucose, oxygen, and water are the by-products. |
| Undergoes Catabolic Process. | Undergoes Anabolic Process. |
| Oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is liberated out. | Producing food and capturing energy. |
| In this process, food particles are broken down to release energy. | In this process, food is synthesized by capturing energy. |
| It is an exergonic reaction as energy is released. | It is an endothermic reaction as it requires energy. |
| This process does not require sunlight since cellular respiration occurs all the time. | This process requires sunlight since photosynthesis occurs only in the presence of sunlight. |
| The chemical reaction of cellular Respiration is C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O | The chemical reaction of photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6+ 6O2 |
Also Read: Aerobic Respiration