Compare and contrast the major pathways of photosynthesis and respiration. They both consume and create the same substances (water, glucose, oxygen, and carbon dioxide) but in different ways. Photosynthesis vs. Cellular respiration - - Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are complementary processes by which living things obtain needed substances. Only cellular respiration breaks down glucose into ATP or energy, photosynthesis only makes glucose which cannot be used by the plant or any organism yet. Both photosynthesis and respiration involve the conversion of energy from one form to another through a series of biochemical reactions. Photosynthesis requires the products of respiration, while respiration requires the products of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process whereby carbon dioxide and water react, using energy from sunlight, to produce glucose and oxygen. All living organisms experience cellular respiration. The similarities between photosynthesis and cellular respiration include both processes synthesize and use ATP, the energy currency. Both processes use and produce ATP in reactions that are carried out on membranes and are controlled by enzymes. Secondly, both biological processes are electron carriers, involve an electron transport chain (ETC), and are reduction-oxidation reactions. Photosynthesis releases oxygen into the atmosphere, and cellular respiration uses that oxygen to release energy from food. The relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is such that the products of one process are the reactants of the other. Cellular Respiration: This process converts the food created by photosynthesis into energy which is then utilized by living organisms and plants. This process creates energy (ATP) by using glucose. This process occurs within the mitochondria, organelles with the ability to break down glucose. Similarities Between Photosynthesis And Cellular Respiration. They are different in that photosynthesis assembles the glucose molecule, while cellular respiration takes it apart. They are similar because they both have a waste product. Through these processes, plants obtain the carbon dioxide they need and living organisms obtain the oxygen … The inputs in the photosynthesis are water and carbon dioxide while inputs in the case of cellular respiration are oxygen and glucose. Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and cellular respiration puts it back. The two processes are similar in that they both produce energy, albeit in two different forms. Similarities:-In both photosynthesis and cellular respiration, hydrogen ions are pumped from an area of low hydrogen ion concentration to an area of high hydrogen ion concentration.-In both photosynthesis and cellular respiration, enzymes diffuse down their concentration gradients through ATP synthase. Explanation: Some differences between photosynthesis and respiration are that photosynthesis only happens in sunlight while respiration happens constantly and that photosynthesis releases oxygen while respiration uses it. Photosynthesis occurs in the presence of light while cellular respiration is a continuous activity that likes to happen all the time. Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts, but cellular respiration doesn’t only happen in plants but in animals as well. Photosynthesis and respiration both involve cycles of reactions, involving redox reactions. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are complementary biochemical reactions.