What are the Differences Between Photosynthesis and Breathing?

The main Difference between photosynthesis And breathing Is that they are inverse processes. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and water enter the body, unlike the respiration where these compounds are released.

Breathing is a complex process that includes oxygen uptake, the conversion of complex substances to carbon dioxide and water, and the release of energy.

Difference between the process of photosynthesis and respiration in plants. Photosynthesis (left) and respiration (right). Image from right extracted from BBC

In contrast, in photosynthesis the complex carbohydrates are constructed through simple substances like carbon dioxide and water, at the same time that the oxygen is released. That is why they are said to be inverse processes.

In addition, photosynthesis is the process in which green plants take sunlight to convert to sugar or glucose. Breathing is the process by which most cells break down sugar / glucose to be used as energy.

On the other hand, photosynthesis and respiration are complementary processes in which living organisms get substances they need. The two processes consume and create the same substances: water, glucose, oxygen and carbon dioxide, but they do it differently.

8 differences between photosynthesis and respiration

1- Use of carbon dioxide and oxygen

As mentioned above, during respiration oxygen is used and carbon dioxide and water are formed. In contrast, during photosynthesis carbon dioxide and water are used while oxygen is transformed and released.

2- Organisms where the process takes place

Breathing occurs in all cells of living organisms, including those that have chlorophyll and are green as those that do not have that particularity. Photosynthesis only occurs in organisms whose cells have chlorophyll.

3- The sunlight

On the other hand, photosynthesis only occurs when there is sunlight, while respiration occurs in light and dark conditions.

4- Metabolic pathways

In respiration, glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm. In photosynthesis, light reactions occur in the Chloroplast . During respiration the cycle of citric acid or Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix. The chain of electron transport takes place in the mitochondrial membrane.

On the other hand, the dark reactions of photosynthesis happen in the chloroplast stroma. Additionally, photolysis or water separation is done in the thylakoid lumen.

5- Catabolic and anabolic process

Breathing is a catabolic process that includes the destruction of food or stored energy and the absorption of oxygen. In contrast, photosynthesis is an anabolic process that includes making food or energy where oxygen is released.

6- Carbohydrates

In the breathing process the carbohydrates are oxidized; In photosynthesis the carbohydrates are synthesized. Energy is released during respiration, making it an exothermic process. During photosynthesis, energy is stored, converting it into an endothermic process.

7- Energy

In breathing energy is released in the form of ATP. For its part, in photosynthesis solar energy is stored in the form of glucose or chemical energy.

8- Weight of plants

Conversely, during the breathing the weight of the dried plants decreases. During photosynthesis, the weight of dry plants increases. Additionally, in breathing the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. During photosynthesis, solar energy becomes potential energy.

The process of photosynthesis

The process of photosynthesis is used by plants and other organisms to convert solar energy In chemical energy. This energy can then be released to be used as fuel for the activities of other organisms. The chemical energy is stored in carbohydrate molecules that are then synthesized from carbon dioxide and water.

Most plants, including algae and cyanobacteria, are capable of photosynthesis. For this reason they are called Autotrophic organisms ; That is, they synthesize substances to make food.

Photosynthesis is largely responsible for producing and maintaining the oxygen content of the Earth's atmosphere. It is also responsible for producing most of the organic compounds and most of the energy needed for life on the planet.

conclusion

Photosynthesis only occurs in Cells Which have chlorophyll during daylight. This process uses carbon dioxide and water to be made; Carbohydrates and oxygen are released.

Solar energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates. During photosynthesis, the ATP molecules are synthesized by the conversion of solar energy. Released hydrogen is accepted by NADP and reduced to NADP2.

The synthesized ATP is used during the dark reaction of photosynthesis and all processes occur in the chloroplast. The rate of photosynthesis is 20 times faster than respiration.

The Breathing Process

This process consists of metabolic reactions that take place in the organisms of the cells. In this process, biochemical energy is converted to nutrients in ATP. The reactions involved in respiration are catabolic reactions that break down large molecules into smaller molecules.

During this process energy is released and is one of the ways in which a cell releases chemical energy as fuel for cellular activity.

Cellular respiration is considered an exothermic reaction as it releases heat when it takes place. This chain of reactions occurs along several steps or biochemical processes.

The nutrients that are usually used in breathing generally include glucose, amino acids and fatty acids. The most common oxidant is oxygen.

conclusion

Breathing takes place in all living cells of a plant. It is also a catabolic process that continues throughout the day and night. Breathing uses oxygen and carbohydrates; The end products of respiration are carbon dioxide and water.

The energy released from carbohydrates is trapped in ATP during oxidation. However, some energy is lost in the form of heat. The oxidation of carbohydrates releases molecules of ATP, the energy that is stored in living organisms. ATP synthesized during respiration is used in various metabolic processes.

The hydrogen released during the oxidation of carbohydrates is trapped in hydrogen receptors. Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm and oxidation of the acid in the mitochondria. Generally, the rate of respiration is lower than that of photosynthesis.

References

  1. What is the difference between photosynthesis and respiration? (2008) Biochemistry. Recovered from enotes.com.
  2. Difference between respiration and photosynthesis. Major differences (2014) Retrieved from majordifferences.com.
  3. Prokaryotic photosynthesis and photography illuminated. (2006) Trends in Microbiology. Retrieved from sciencedirect.com.
  4. Cellular respiration. (2017) Science. Retrieved from thoughtco.com.
  5. Differences between respiration and photosynthesis. Biology discussion. Retrieved from biologydiscussion.com.
  6. Photosynthesis vs Cellular respiration. Soft Schools. Recovered from softschools.com.


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