Final answer:
Carbon is central to the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, occurring in the chloroplasts and mitochondria of cells respectively, where photosynthesis produces glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, and cellular respiration produces ATP, carbon dioxide, and water from glucose and oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Role of Carbon in Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Carbon plays a central role in both photosynthesis and cellular respiration. These processes are pivotal to the carbon cycle, which involves the recycling of carbon in the biosphere. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interdependent processes that sustain life for plants and animals by exchanging vital gases and energy.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and sunlight are converted into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). The **inputs** of photosynthesis are CO2, water, and sunlight, while the outputs are glucose, which serves as a food source, and oxygen, which is essential for animal life.
Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria of both plant and animal cells. This process uses oxygen and glucose to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the cell's energy currency. The inputs of cellular respiration are glucose and oxygen, while the outputs include CO2, H2O, and ATP.
In essence, photosynthesis and cellular respiration form a continuous cycle. The glucose and oxygen produced by photosynthesis are used in cellular respiration to create ATP, and the carbon dioxide and water released by cellular respiration are used in photosynthesis to produce glucose and oxygen, completing the cycle.