How are the reactants and products of photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?

The reactants and products of photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interrelated in a cyclic manner. Photosynthesis is a process that occurs in plants and some microorganisms, where they convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. The reaction of photosynthesis can be simplified as:

6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2

Glucose is the primary energy source for plants and is stored as carbohydrates. Oxygen is released as a byproduct and is essential for the survival of most organisms.

On the other hand, cellular respiration is a process that occurs in most organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It involves the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce usable energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water. The simplified equation for cellular respiration is:

C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP

Here, glucose from photosynthesis is broken down in the cells to release energy. Carbon dioxide and water, produced as waste products of cellular respiration, are then used as reactants in photosynthesis.

Therefore, the products of photosynthesis (glucose and oxygen) are the reactants for cellular respiration. Conversely, the products of cellular respiration (carbon dioxide and water) are the reactants for photosynthesis. This interconnected relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is often referred to as the "carbon cycle" or the "oxygen cycle," as it involves the exchange and transformation of these elements between living organisms and the environment.