Final answer:
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are opposites where the products of one are the reactants of the other, forming a cycle that maintains atmospheric balance and provides energy for life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interrelated processes that are fundamental to life on Earth. Photosynthesis, which occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, captures energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This chemical reaction can be summarized as 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2. Conversely, cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria of both plant and animal cells, and it uses glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP (energy), which can be summarized as C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP.
The two processes are in essence opposite to each other and form a cycle. The oxygen and glucose produced through photosynthesis are utilized in cellular respiration, while the carbon dioxide and water produced through cellular respiration are used in photosynthesis. This cycle helps to maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere and provides the energy that powers the lives of both plants and animals. Importantly, photosynthesis is the means by which solar energy is captured and stored in chemical form, and cellular respiration is how that energy is released and made available for cellular work.