Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

  • Submitted By: hooks
  • Date Submitted: 03/17/2009 8:28 AM
  • Category: Science
  • Words: 451
  • Page: 2
  • Views: 1216

Here are 2 conditions for life:

1.) All matter must be continually recycled
2.) We need and energy source

Plants are example of Autotrophs they use energy from the sun to convert CO2 and water into carbohydrates, (specifically Glucose). This process is called Photosynthesis and occurs in the chloroplasts.

6CO2 + 12H2O + Sunlight => C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O
Carbon Dioxide + Water + Sunlight => Glucose + Oxygen + Water

People and animals are an example of Heterotrophs they are not capable of making their own food, so they must take in food already made.

For example, we eat vegetables, or we eat animals that have eaten plats to get carbohydrates. This original plant eats requited the sun to grow.

Heterotrophs break the chemical bonds and return CO2 and water back to the environment. This takes place in the Mitochondria and is called Cellular Respiration.

C6H12O6 + 6O2 => 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
Glucose + Water => Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy

At certain steps of the process, inorganic phosphate (P2) combine with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process is called Phosphorylation. CO2 is released as a waste product.

Why do we need ATP?
It is important for cellular functions such as active transport and cell division.

Endergonic Reaction Process that requires (consumes energy)

Exergonic Reaction Process that gives off (releases energy)

ADP + P1 = ATP

When energy is released in an exergonic reaction (to form ADP), it must be released in a controlled manner to minimize pH and temperature changes, otherwise, combining oxygen with hydrogen can cause a heat explosion.

The phosphorylation of ATP allows for the slow oxidation of food and release of energy in small packets that can be capture by ATP.

This gradual release is accomplished by the Electron Transport System which takes energy rich ions removed during the breakdown of glucose and then passes these electrons...

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