What are the functions of photosynthesis and aerobic respiration metabolic pathways?
Apr.14, 2010 in
Aerobic Respiration
I’m having some trouble understanding my this area in my biology class. I’ve read the part in the book a couple times about it, and I still can’t grasp it. Would appreciate any help. Thanks.
April 14th, 2010 at 9:12 am
photosynthesis:
function: production of food
the energy from light photons are trapped by chlorophyll and passed on by the photosystems (I & II). this is known as the light reaction. this energy is used to make glucose from carbon dioxide and water giving out oxygen as a by product. the glucose can be either used for respiration for giving energy to the plant or stored mainly as starch.
respiration:
function: to provide energy
glucose is broken down by glycolysis to pyruvate giving ATP (energy). pyruvate is then finally broken down to carbon dioxide by the krebs cycle to give more ATPs along with NADPH and FADH which again gives ATP. the by products are water and CO2