yr eleven biology-----photosynthesis?

Question

question:

photosynthesis is the reverse of respiration.Analyse this statement after comparing the roles of photosynthesis and respiration


thank you

Answer 1

There is certainly plenty of reason to think of them as opposite processes. Respiration takes in oxygen and uses it to consume sugar and produce carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis takes in carbon dioxide to produce sugar and waste oxygen. Superficially, those are about as opposite as you get.

But I think if you look at the ROLE of each of these processes, you'll conclude that they are actually more the same than they are different. While photosynthesis is operating, it is often the main energy source of the creature using it. Not only does it produce sugar, but cellular energy as well! Likewise, the reason respirators need the sugar in the first place is to break it down for cellular energy.

So in reality, lifeforms with these systems use them for exactly the same purpose - to produce chemical energy for life.

Which probably explains why virtually no creatures have BOTH processes in an advanced state. Something that photosynthesizes doesn't need to look elsewhere for energy, and something that respires likewise has the situation well in hand. If they were truly opposites, it would seem a huge advantage to make the sugar yourself and then use it in respiration... since this doesn't really happen, it seems reasonable to conclude that something else is going on!

Answer 2

Respiration is the intake of O2 converting it to Co after all useful items are extrapolated, Photosynthesis is the absorption of sunlight Not a tangible compound and is then used as a tool to start a the process of photosynthesis to turn Co into O2. Quite the reverse but using an entirely different catalyst to start the process.