Final answer:
The best comparison between photosynthesis and cellular respiration is that photosynthesis traps solar energy in glucose, while cellular respiration releases the energy stored in glucose. These processes are interdependent, with the byproducts of one serving as the reactants for the other, thus maintaining the cycle of energy and carbon in ecosystems. So the correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best compares the biochemical processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration is:
C. Photosynthesis is the process of trapping the energy of the sun and storing it in glucose. Cellular respiration is the process of releasing the energy stored in the chemical bonds of glucose.
Photosynthesis is a process performed by photoautotrophs such as plants, algae, and certain bacteria. These organisms harness energy from the sun to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. In contrast, cellular respiration is a process used by all living organisms to release the stored energy in the chemical bonds of glucose to form ATP, the molecule that powers cellular activities. This process consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct, completing the cycle.
Both photosynthesis and cellular respiration are involved in the energy transformation processes of living organisms and play critical roles in the cycling of carbon and the flow of energy through the ecosystem.