Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration: How and Why They’re so Important

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Abstract A Cells environment provides its nourishment, the million dollar question is from where and how is this nourishment acquired? Nearly every bit of all organic matter is generated by cells converting energy from the Sun into energetic molecules thru a process known as photosynthesis; this process is crucial to the overall carbon cycle ( Nature Education, 2013). Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration: How and why they’re So Important Sunlight performs a far greater function in our overall physical nourishment than many of us realize; everything we consume and every bit of fossil fuel we utilize is created thru photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process that transforms the suns energy into forms of biochemical energy that can be utilized by living organisms. Photosynthesis is performed by various life forms, however, the best organisms’ for this process is by cyanobacteria, algae and higher plants (Vermaas, 2013). The end result of the Photosynthesis process is the storage of energy in sugar bonds. Vegetation requires energy, H2O and CO2 in order to create sugar. Photosynthesis occurs in a plant’s chloroplasts, specifically using the green pigment that captures light energy; which is why it primarily takes place in the plant’s leaves. The veins in a leaf transport nutrients and water where they are needed and chloroplasts are in a plant’s mesophyll cells, which is where photosynthesis takes place. 6CO2 + 6H2O (+ light energy) C6H12O6 + 6O2 is the formula for the photosynthesis chemical reaction (Carter, 2013). There are actually two steps to the photosynthesis process: in order to convert energy into chemical, a reaction to light takes place within the thylakoid membrane. Beta-carotene, Chlorophyll and other various pigments that are vital to the light reaction are systematized into specific groups within the thylakoid membrane;

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