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Cellular Respiration Vs. Photosynthesis

Decent Essays

Option 1: Cellular Respiration vs. Photosynthesis
All life requires energy on a cellular level to survive and flourish. On our planet this is achieved by inter-dependent processes called cellular respiration and photosynthesis. In my discussion post I will explain how the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis occur, why the two processes are vital to life on earth, and I will discuss their similarities and differences.
Discussion

Cellular respiration is the method by which an organism converts carbon based fuel and oxygen into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) the source of energy for cells, carbon dioxide and water (Open Learning Initiative, 2015, pg.140; Respiration, Cellular, 2014, pg.3737). Moreover, the cellular respiration process occurs in three major steps: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and electron transport (Respiration, Cellular, 2014, pg.3737). During the glycolysis stage, inside the mitochondria of the cell, glucose is broken down into pyruvate (a three carbon sugar) which releases energy in the form of a net gain of two ATP molecules (four total are produced but two are consumed during the process) (Open Learning Initiative, 2015, pg.141; Respiration, Cellular, 2014, pg.3737). Next, during the Krebs cycle, inside the mitochondrial cellular matrix, the pyruvate from the previous cycle is transformed into acetyl CoA after which it undergoes a process where the acetyl CoA is converted into carbon dioxide and water via oxidization resulting in the

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