Which Cellular Process is more Fundamental to the Existence of Life on Earth, Respiration or Photosynthesis?

Many processes are involved in supporting life on earth, due to a variety of human activities, life is being threatened by a phenomenon called the greenhouse effect (Belk & Maier, 2013). The earth contains a space called the biosphere which contains and support living organisms; it subdivided into lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The lithosphere is the layer that surrounds the earth composed of rocks and sand, the atmosphere contains gases, and the hydrosphere is the liquid part of the biosphere that lies between the atmosphere and the lithosphere (Belk & Maier, 2013). Two of the critical processes that keep the biosphere intact are cellular respiration and photosynthesis, both of which have their roles to play in the continuous existence of the biosphere (Belk & Maier, 2013).

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make use of light energy to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose (Belk & Maier, 2013). This process takes place in the chloroplasts, an organelle present in plants and unicellular membranes, it is double-membraned and encloses a thick fluid that houses some of the enzymes useful in the photosynthetic process called the stroma. Within the stroma, there are disk-like membranous structures called the thykaloids (Belk & Maier, 2103). The thykaloids contain a pigment called the chlorophyll which initiates the start of photosynthesis in a reaction called the light reaction, this where the chlorophyll traps light energy and via the electron transport chain produces ATP and oxygen as a by-product. The second step in photosynthesis is the Calvin cycle that takes place in the stroma; the ATP produced converts carbon dioxide into sugar (Belk & Maier, 2013).

Cellular respiration is a process that takes place in both plants and animals. The organelle involved in this process is the mitochondria, the mitochondria are present in all cells, it is surrounded by two membranes and contains a fluid called a matrix. Cellular respiration uses glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. This process is also in stages, glycolysis, the first where the glucose is broken down into pyruvate, the citric acid cycle where decarboxylation of the pyruvate takes place. The electron transport chain and ATP synthesis are the last stages which involve energy production required by the cells and carbon dioxide expulsion (Belk & Maier, 2013).

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration involve energy conversion, the organelles involved in these processes both have membranes and contain fluids. Chloroplasts, however, are found only in plants while mitochondria can be seen n both plants and animal cells. The inputs and outputs of these processes form a cycle that contributes to the existence of the living organisms in the biosphere. During respiration, organisms give out carbon dioxide, which is then used by plants in photosynthesis to produce glucose and oxygen. The oxygen is required to sustain the life of living organisms in the biosphere (Belk & Maier, 2013).

References

Maier, V. B., & Belk, C. (2013). Biology: Science for Life with Physiology. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings. Pearson Education.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
close
Haven't found the right essay?
Get an expert to write you the one you need!
print

Professional writers and researchers

quotes

Sources and citation are provided

clock

3 hour delivery

person