Difference between Photosynthesis and Respiration: Definition and Chemical Reactions

Respiration and Photosynthesis are two different processes that aim to create energy in living organisms. The process of respiration takes place in humans and animals and photosynthesis takes place in green plants. Both the processes help living organisms survive and maintain an equilibrium in the environment by providing all the necessary requirements.

Respiration 

All living organisms (excluding plants) take Oxygen from the environment. This oxygen is utilized by the cells of the living organisms. Respiration is a process that helps in converting the oxygen taken from the environment by the living organisms and glucose present in the body into Carbon Dioxide and water. 

The carbon dioxide is released back into the environment and the water is utilized by the bodies of these living organisms. Respiration helps in the breakdown of elements that living beings intake while breathing and ingesting and further releases the elements into the environment. 

The carbon dioxide gas is later used by other organisms in the environment like plants. The main aim of the process of respiration is the creation of energy. The major element that is utilized in this process is oxygen. The energy is then stored in the cells of the living organisms in the form of ATPs (Adenosine Triphosphate) and is used by the cells of the body of living organisms.

Checkout Important Question on: Respiration

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make food for themselves. The process of photosynthesis is restricted to green plants only because of the presence of chlorophyll in the plant cells. This process doesn’t occur in other living beings like humans or animals. 

In this process, the leaves of the green plants trap sunlight with the help of an element present in them called chlorophyll. The plants make use of this trapped sunlight and water (taken through the roots) to create energy. The reaction takes place in the leaves of the green plants. 

Unlike humans and animals, plants make their food. They are not dependent creatures. Plants use light energy and transform it into chemical energy through the process of Photosynthesis. As a result of the process, plants release oxygen which is later used by humans and animals. 

Water and glucose are also manufactured during photosynthesis. The water is released back to the environment and the energy is stored by the plants in the form of glucose. This glucose (carbohydrates and starch) is the major source of food available for the use of other living beings. 

Difference Between Respiration and Photosynthesis

Respiration and Photosynthesis are two different processes that aim to create energy in living organisms. While respiration takes place in humans and animals, photosynthesis takes place in green plants. These processes are essential for carrying out energy manufacturing in living organisms. The difference between both the processes is as follows: 

• The process of respiration includes all the living organisms while the process of photosynthesis takes place in green plants only.
• Photosynthesis requires chlorophyll as a major element to carry out its process. Whereas, respiration requires no chlorophyll.
• The end products in respiration are Carbon dioxide, water, and energy (stored in the form of ATPs). ATPs stands for Adenosine Triphosphates. 
• Respiration takes place throughout the day and night. However, the process of photosynthesis takes place in the presence of sunlight. Thus, it can take place during the day only.
• Respiration requires oxygen and photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide to take out their respective processes.
• Photosynthesis is dependent upon the availability of sunlight, while respiration doesn’t require sunlight.
• Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast. Chloroplasts are the organelles that are present in the cells containing chlorophyll. Whereas, respiration occurs in the cells of the bodies of living organisms.
• The energy during photosynthesis is stored in the form of starch and carbohydrates - glucose. The energy during respiration is stored in the cells of the living organisms.

Chemical Reactions of Photosynthesis and Respiration

The chemical reaction involved in the process of photosynthesis can be expressed as:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

The Chemical reaction involved in the process of Respiration can be expressed as: 

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6CO₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O

Things to Remember Based on Photosynthesis and Respiration

• Respiration is a process that helps in converting the oxygen taken from the environment by the living organisms and glucose ingested (present in the body) into Carbon Dioxide and water.
• Respiration helps in the breakdown of elements that living beings intake while breathing and ingesting. These elements are further released into the environment. 
• The released carbon dioxide gas in the process of respiration is later used by other organisms in the environment like plants. 
• The energy in the process of respiration is stored by the living organisms in the form of ATPs (Adenosine Triphosphate) and is further used by the cells of their body.
• Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make food for themselves. 
• The process of photosynthesis is restricted to green plants only because of the presence of chlorophyll in the plant cells. 
• In the process of photosynthesis, the leaves of the green plants trap sunlight with the help of an element present in them called chlorophyll.
• The plants make use of this trapped sunlight and water (taken through the roots) to create energy.
• Plants use light energy and transform it into chemical energy through the process of Photosynthesis. 
• The glucose (carbohydrates and starch) formed during the process of photosynthesis is the major source of food available for the use of other living beings.