How are the equations for photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?

• A. Both processes produce oxygen as a byproduct.
• B. The reactants of photosynthesis are the same as the reactants of cellular respiration.
• C. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration both occur in the mitochondria.
• D. The products of photosynthesis are the reactants of cellular respiration.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the basic equations for photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Photosynthesis can be represented as: ${6\left(\mathrm{CO}\right)}_2+{6\left(H2O\right)}_2+\mathrm{light}\to {C6H\mathrm{12}O6}_1+{6\left(O\right)}_2$. Cellular respiration can be represented as: ${C6H\mathrm{12}O6}_1+{6\left(O\right)}_2\to {6\left(\mathrm{CO}\right)}_2+{6\left(H2O\right)}_2+\mathrm{energy}$.
2. Identify the products of photosynthesis: glucose (${C6H\mathrm{12}O6}_1$) and oxygen (${6\left(O\right)}_2$).
3. Identify the reactants of cellular respiration: glucose (${C6H\mathrm{12}O6}_1$) and oxygen (${6\left(O\right)}_2$).
4. Recognize that the products of photosynthesis are the reactants of cellular respiration, establishing a cyclical relationship between the two processes.
5. Understand that this relationship highlights the interdependence of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the ecosystem, where the oxygen and glucose produced by photosynthesis are utilized by organisms during cellular respiration to release energy.