Unit C Conclusion

Unit C Conclusion

In this unit you learned about the detailed series of chemical reactions involved in photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The Sun provides a steady flow of energy for the biosphere. Plants are able to use this energy directly, through photosynthesis, to produce their own food. Animals—like humans—do not have this ability, and must rely on plants or other organisms for a source of usable chemical potential energy. Both plants and animals use cellular respiration to obtain energy.

After completing your study in this unit, you will be able to discuss major aspects of photosynthesis, including where it occurs, and the required reactants of photosynthesis. You will also be able to describe more detailed aspects of photosynthesis. This includes the products and reactants of photosynthesis, the importance of electron transfer to the function of photosynthesis, and the ability of photosynthesis to convert energy and cause changes to matter. By working through the lessons dedicated to photosynthesis it is important that the difference between the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis becomes clear.

You also learned about the role of cellular respiration in releasing potential energy from carbohydrates like glucose. Glucose synthesized during photosynthesis is used by most organisms. Remember that plants, too, need access to energy. Cellular respiration is made up of three sets of chemical reactions: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and electron transport. Cellular respiration can occur aerobically or anaerobically. As a result of your study in this unit, you will be able to describe the function and importance of these processes with respect to the production of energy within cells.

At the completion of this unit you are better able to describe the complexities of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and able to relate these complexities to their contribution to energy and matter exchange within the biosphere, and their support for all organisms. You can see how these two processes have been used in science and technology to benefit humans.