Photosynthesis and Respiration

Every living creature- plants, animals, and other tiny organisms require energy to survive. Photosynthesis and respiration are procedures that keep any living creature alive. Photosynthesis takes place in phototrophs, while respiration happens in all living creatures, excluding phototrophs. Both these functions aid in survival.

Photosynthesis vs Respiration

The key difference between Photosynthesis and Respiration is that Photosynthesis occurs in phototrophs, i.e., plants, bacteria, and algae. At the same time, Respiration happens in every living creature apart from phototrophs.

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts and seizes energy. In contrast, Respiration occurs in Mitochondria, and energy is discharged in this process. In addition, Photosynthesis requires sunlight, while Respiration happens with or without sunlight.

What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is an anabolic process that changes light energy into chemical energy. It happens in chloroplasts and requires sunlight for this course to occur. It involves three steps, i.e. light reaction, dark reaction, and photolysis.

In this development, oxygen gets released, and carbon dioxide and water are consumed. It happens only in green plants and a few bacteria and algae. Then, it goes through an endothermic reaction, and the resultant products are Glucose, oxygen, and water. In this procedure, the energy is confined in the carbohydrate molecules, and food is created.

In a light reaction, the energy is confined and relocated to electrons which manufacture ATP. Subsequently, there is a decline in NADPH. Finally, in a dark reaction, through the help of ADP and NADPH, carbon dioxide is diminished to organic carbon compounds. 

What is Respiration?

Respiration occurs in all the living creatures on the planet, excluding plants and bacteria. It is a process through which oxygen is taken from the air and used in blood and cells. Moreover, it is a catabolic procedure that debases the compounds. This process ensures survival as oxygen is being taken, which is an indispensable nutrient.

Respiration happens in the body, with or without sunlight. It engages three steps in the entire process, i.e. Glycolysis, the Citric acid cycle, and the transport chain. First, the oxygen is seized and utilised, and carbon dioxide and water are discharged. It results in a decline of dry mass. Consequently, energy is released, and some energy vanishes in the form of heat. Moreover, via the oxidation of food, Respiration generates ATP from the release of energy.

The complete process transpires in mitochondria, and the process rate is usually lower than the rate of Photosynthesis. 

Respiration is an exergonic reaction, and its chemical reaction is –

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

Key Differences between Photosynthesis and Respiration

1. Photosynthesis is an anabolic process that transforms sunlight and water into energy. At the same time, Respiration is the catabolic progression of breaking down food and discharging energy.

2. Photosynthesis happens in green plants, bacteria, and algae, while respiration happens in all living organisms except for phototypes.

3. Photosynthesis happens in chloroplasts resulting in by-products such as Glucose, oxygen, and water. In contrast, Respiration happens in Mitochondria, with by-products like carbon dioxide, water, and energy.

5. Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction that supplies food and confines energy. At the same time, respiration is an exergonic reaction that requires oxygen and liberates carbon dioxide.
6. Photosynthesis absorbs carbon dioxide, and the sunlight is compulsory for development. At the same time, Respiration liberates carbon dioxide. There is no requirement for sunlight as it happens all the time in the body.

Comparison Table between Photosynthesis and Respiration

Conclusion

Both photosynthesis and respiration are the essential functions in the body of living creatures that are required for existence. Both are dissimilar; however, they have similarities as well. They both occupy the transformation of energy from one form to another.