Chapter 18, Problem 41A

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Overall reaction of photosynthesis and cellular reaction.

Introduction:

Photosynthesis is the reaction in which plants synthesize carbohydrates and from carbon dioxide and water with the help of chlorophyll and sunlight.

The cellular respiration is the process by which glucose is utilized by the cells to make the energy molecules and in this process, carbon dioxide is generated as the by product.

Explanation of Solution

Photosynthesis is the process by which synthesis of glucose takes place using carbon dioxide and water in presence of sunlight. It also requires the chlorophyll pigment which absorbs light energy in the form of photons. 

It is a process seen in plants, in which light energy is converted into chemical energy. When the sun reflects on a plant, the chloroplast will trap the photons by the help of its chlorophyll pigments. This trapped energy will convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen. This process is very essential as they provide food for higher animals.

  ${\text{6CO}}_2+{\text{12H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\stackrel{\text{light}}{\to }{\text{C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}+{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$

In the process of cellular respiration, the glucose in presence of oxygen is broken down into carbon dioxide and water. In this process, the energy is liberated in the form of ATP, which can be used for other metabolic process.

  ${\text{C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}+{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}\to {\text{CO}}_2+{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O+ ATP}$