Photosynthesis
Purpose
Convert light energy, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.
Chemical Equation
6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + Light Energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂
• Reactants: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Water (H₂O), Light Energy
• Products: Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), Oxygen (O₂)
Process Location
• Organelle: Chloroplast (in plant cells)
Key Ideas
• Sunlight energizes the chemical reaction.
• Atoms are rearranged: No atoms are destroyed or created.
• Oxygen is a byproduct, not used by the plant in photosynthesis.
Cellular Respiration
Purpose
Break down glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy (ATP).
Chemical Equation
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + ATP (energy)
• Reactants: Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), Oxygen (O₂)
• Products: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Water (H₂O), ATP
Process Location
• Step 1: Cytoplasm (glucose is broken into smaller molecules)
• Step 2: Mitochondria (more breakdown + ATP is made)
Types
• Aerobic Respiration (with oxygen): Makes lots of ATP.
• Anaerobic Respiration (without oxygen): Less ATP, includes fermentation.
Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration
Feature Photosynthesis Cellular Respiration
Energy Source Sunlight Glucose
Reactants CO₂, H₂O, Light Glucose, O₂
Products Glucose, O₂ CO₂, H₂O, ATP
Energy Absorbed Released
Organelle Chloroplast Mitochondria
Type of Organism Plants, Algae All organisms (plants & animals)
Lab / Simulation Analysis
Dissolved Oxygen Simulation
• More Plants = More Oxygen (photosynthesis)
• More Fish = Less Oxygen (respiration)
• Low Light = Less Oxygen (less photosynthesis)
• No Fish = Decrease in O₂, but slower (no use, less production)
Digestion + Cellular Respiration Connection
What Happens to Food?
1. Digestion breaks food into molecules (glucose, amino acids, etc.)
2. Cells use glucose to make ATP through cellular respiration
3. ATP powers everything in cells (muscle movement, nerve signals, etc.)
ATP: The Energy Molecule
• Full name: Adenosine Triphosphate
• Made in the mitochondria during respiration
• Used for cell work: transport, movement, growth
