Final answer:
Cellular respiration is the process that nourishes cells and supports their activities by converting glucose and oxygen into energy, water, and carbon dioxide. It occurs in nearly all living cells to produce ATP, which powers various cellular functions. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, is the process by which plants and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical process whereby cells are nourished and carry out their activities is known as cellular respiration. During cellular respiration, cells break down glucose in the presence of oxygen to release carbon dioxide, water, and energy. The energy released is captured in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used to fuel various cellular processes, including growth, repair, and maintenance.
For photosynthesis to occur, plants need carbon dioxide from the air, water from the soil, and light energy from the sun. This process takes place in the chloroplasts, where light reactions convert solar energy into chemical energy that produces glucose, a type of sugar that is a basic energy source for cells.
Both photosynthesis and cellular respiration are crucial for the flow of energy through living systems, a concept known as bioenergetics. These two processes together form the basis for the metabolism of cells, which includes all chemical reactions that take place inside cells, either consuming or generating energy.