How does the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration each contribute to the carbon cycle?

Answer 1

Sunlight excites some chlorophyll in plant leaves, which starts a process called phosphorylation and eventually carbohydrates (which contain a lot of carbon atoms) are created. Herbivores eat plant leaves (for chemical energy for life processes), carnivores eat herbivores and so on until the food chain stops with humans. We eat plants and animals for carbohydrates (carbon). Every animal has to BREATHE oxygen and carbon molecules from the food we eat bond to oxygen to create carbon dioxide (which we exhale). The carbon dioxide is absorbed into the plant leaves through the stoma of leaves and the process begins anew. I didn't really get into specifics here, but this is what I remember from AP Bio class in High School.

Answer 2

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and, with the sun's energy, converts it into chlorophyl. The waste product from this process is oxygen, which the plant expires through the leaves.