Question

Can someone please describe the process of photosynthesis and also compare it to cellular respiration.

Answer 1

@lyssaarosee See attached file.

Answer 2

Essentially, plants capture energy from photons to create ATP and NADPH. This is done in the electron transport chain, and the two products to the Kalvin Cycle. At the end of the Kalvin Cycle glucose is made. This glucose is used to produce energy in the same manner as cellular respiration. In fact, it is cellular respiration. The glucose molecule gets broken down down into to 3 carbon molecules via glycolysis. This then used to produce large amounts of ATP (~32-38 ATP).

See, plants have chloroplasts and mitochondria. Plant mitochondria works the exact same way in plants as in humans. The big difference in plants vs. humans is that plants capture energy and carbon from inorganic compounds to make glucose, while humans and other animals have to find an organic source of glucose and consume it.

Answer 3

Thank you, this really did help! @mrdoldum