Question

How are the chemical reactions of photosynthesis and cellular respiration connected?

Answer 1

They are opposite of each other.

Explanation:

Photosynthesis is a process where water (`"H"_2"O"`) is combined with carbon dioxide (`"CO"_2`) to produce glucose (`"C"_6"H"_12"O"_6`) and molecular oxygen (`"O"_2`).

This reaction is carried out under the presence of sunlight, hence the name "photo" which means light. Most of the energy from the light is stored as chemical potential energy in the glucose.

The overall balanced equation of the reaction is

`6"CO"_2 + 6"H"_2"O" + color(green)("Energy") -> "C"_6"H"_12"O"_6 + 6"O"_2`

Respiration is somewhat the reverse of photosynthesis.

`"C"_6"H"_12"O"_6 + 6"O"_2 -> 6"CO"_2 + 6"H"_2"O" + color(green)("Energy")`

Oxygen is taken in and energy is released.