Biology Assignment: Photosynthesis, Respiration, and the Carbon Cycle

This assignment explores the crucial relationship between the carbon cycle, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. It explains how carbon dioxide is a primary reactant in photosynthesis, producing glucose, and how the carbon cycle facilitates the movement of carbon into and out of the atmosphere. The assignment highlights the equations for both photosynthesis and cellular respiration, showing their inverse relationship and the role of glucose and ATP. The importance of these processes for life and the synthesis of organic compounds is also discussed, referencing a scientific paper on the topic. This assignment is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of these fundamental biological concepts.

Answer 1
Carbon Dioxide is one of the primary reactants in the Calvin Cycle, which is used by
plants and photosynthetic algae to synthesize organic carbon compounds during
photosynthesis. The carbon cycle includes carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis, organic carbon
compounds, and life on earth would not exist without carbon dioxide. The equation for
photosynthesis is –
6CO2 + 6H2O = C6H12O6 + 6O2
For photosynthesis to take place, the reactants' 6 carbon dioxide is necessary. For
practically all energy reactions in living organisms, including plants and animals, the glucose
sugar molecule in the products serves as the catalyst. Carbon chains and rings are the
foundation of organic compounds. Inorganic carbon enters organic metabolic pathways
through photosynthesis, leading to the synthesis of all organic chemicals required for life,
including muscle, skin, enzymes, neurons, and DNA. Photosynthesis would not be feasible
and there would not now be any living organisms if the Carbon Cycle did not exist (Brown &
Schwartz, 2009).
Answer 2
Because of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, which are closely related
processes, the carbon cycle helps move carbon into and out of the atmosphere. Oxygen is
produced by plants as a by-product of photosynthesis. The equation for photosynthesis is
exactly the reverse of the equation for cellular respiration.
Equation of photosynthesis –
6CO2 + 6H2O = C6H12O6 + 6O2
Equation of cellular respiration –

C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O
Glucose produced by photosynthesis is converted into ATP during cellular respiration
(Adenosine Tri Phosphate). The carbon dioxide utilized in photosynthesis is then produced
from glucose. While during photosynthesis water is broken down to create oxygen, during
cellular respiration oxygen is mixed with hydrogen to create water. The carbon cycle includes
both photosynthesis and cellular respiration, which are crucial processes. The process by
which carbon is recycled in the biosphere is known as the carbon cycle (Brown & Schwartz,
2009).
Reference
Brown, M. H., & Schwartz, R. S. (2009). Connecting photosynthesis and cellular respiration:
Preservice teachers' conceptions. Journal of Research in Science Teaching: The
Official Journal of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 46(7),
791-812.