Chapter 23, Problem 84A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The net reactions for photosynthesis and cellular respiration should be compared with respect to reactants, products and energy.

Concept introduction:

The reaction in which one or more species that are reactants reacts with each other two form one or more different species that are products is known as chemical reaction.

Answer to Problem 84A

The chemical reaction of cellular respiration:

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

The chemical reaction of photosynthesis:

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

Both reactions are reverse of each other with respect to reactants, products and energy.

Explanation of Solution

A set of metabolic reactions which takes place in the organism cell to convert chemical energy from molecules of oxygen into ATP that is adenosine triphosphate is known as cellular respiration. In this process, glucose breaks down in the presence of oxygen and produces carbon dioxide with release of water and energy.

The chemical reaction is:

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

The process in which light energy converts into chemical energy and stores the energy in chemical bonds of sugar or sugar like species is known as photosynthesis. In this process, carbon dioxide reacts with water molecules to form glucose and oxygen.

The chemical reaction is:

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

According to the above two reactions, photosynthesis process is reverse of the cellular respiration process.

Thus, one can say that the reactants of one reaction are the products for the other reaction and vice-versa.