Photosynthesis and Respiration

Photosynthesis and Respiration

Photosynthesis is the process that plants develop C02, H2O and Sunlight in order to create food in form of a sugar called glucose. As a result of this reaction, the plants release oxygen.

Respiration is the process where cells use glucose, to release stored energy and in this process the cells release CO2.

Photosynthesis takes place in the vital role in the Chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are generally found in plant leaves. They are identified as organelles are are made up from a phospholipid inner and outer membrane. Amongst these 2 membranes is an intramembranous space. Within the inside of the inner membrane is stroma which is a liquid that holds thylakoids, this is where the photosynthesis begins.

Thylakoids are entwined by a membrane and proteins are found within the membrane and have a structured form such as a pancake. Also within the the thylakoid membrane there is chlorophyll.

The role of the Chlorophyll is to engross red and blue light, but not the green. This is what allows the plants to give of their green color. As the light strikes the chlorophyll it takes on one photon but also loses one electron. Therefore causing the electron to become a higher form of energy but is also an unstable source. The path of the electron travels through a process of chlorophyll molecules which performs a transport chain. Once the electron is distributed to NADP, it then causes a reduction to NADPH. That known energy that was released from the electron is then used by the enzymes in order to release hydrogen atoms within the membrane. This current action then creates what is called a proton gradient. The reason this action takes place is because there was a great amount of protons within the membrane rather than outside the membrane. With a great amount of protons, the proton gradient is then put to use to add to a phosphate on ADP, turning it into ATP. The end result of this process is to store the energy of the proton gradient in ATP. Therefore the cellular respiration is that of converting the food molecules into energy in the final form of ATP. In the process of ATP the oxygen is exploited and carbon dioxide is made. Thus, carbon dioxide, which is much needed for photosynthesis by plants is then reloaded by carbon dioxide which is unconstrained in respiration.

(Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration, 2001)

The role of respiration is that it disburses energy in order for it to properly provide and abide with living roles. Respiration also plays an active role