Final answer:
Photosynthesis converts sunlight into chemical energy stored in glucose while cellular respiration breaks down glucose to release energy as ATP; these processes are interdependent and together regulate Earth's oxygen and carbon cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are essential biological processes that play a vital role in the life cycle of organisms. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
This process stores energy in the chemical bonds of carbohydrates. In contrast, cellular respiration is the process by which organisms, including plants and animals, break down glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP, releasing the energy stored in glucose to perform work within cells.
The relationship between these two processes is synergistic, as the products of one serve as the reactants for the other. Therefore, together they form a cycle that is essential for the recycling of oxygen and carbon in Earth's atmosphere. This interdependence underscores the importance of both processes in the energy flow within ecosystems and the regulation of atmospheric gases crucial for life on our planet.