Question

What is the functional relationship between photosynthesis and aerobic respiration, and how does this relate to the metabolic needs of autotrophs and heterotrophs?

Short answer

Question: Explain the functional relationship between photosynthesis and aerobic respiration, and how this relationship relates to the metabolic needs of autotrophs and heterotrophs. Answer: The functional relationship between photosynthesis and aerobic respiration is a cycle in which autotrophs produce glucose and oxygen through photosynthesis, which are then used by both autotrophs and heterotrophs for energy production via aerobic respiration. The byproducts of aerobic respiration, carbon dioxide and water, are in turn used by autotrophs for photosynthesis. This cycle ensures that the metabolic needs of both autotrophs, which produce their own food, and heterotrophs, which rely on consuming organic compounds generated by autotrophs, are met.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process through which autotrophs, mainly plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, convert sunlight energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. Photosynthesis can be summarized by the following equation: 6CO_2 + 12H_2O + Light Energy → C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2 + 6H_2O Here, carbon dioxide (CO_2) and water (H_2O) react in the presence of light energy to produce glucose (C_6H_12O_6) and oxygen (O_2).

Definition of Aerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration is the process where cells break down glucose (food) in the presence of oxygen in order to produce energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). Both autotrophs and heterotrophs use aerobic respiration to meet their energy demands. Aerobic respiration can be summarized by the following equation: C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2 → 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + Energy (in the form of ATP)

Relationship between Photosynthesis and Aerobic Respiration

The relationship between photosynthesis and aerobic respiration can be viewed as a cycle. During photosynthesis, autotrophs produce glucose and oxygen, which are then used by themselves and heterotrophs for energy via aerobic respiration. The byproducts of aerobic respiration, carbon dioxide and water, can then be used by autotrophs for photosynthesis, restarting the cycle.

Metabolic Needs of Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

Autotrophs are organisms capable of producing their own food through processes like photosynthesis. They use energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced is used by cells to generate energy through aerobic respiration. Autotrophs release oxygen during photosynthesis, which is necessary for aerobic respiration to occur in both autotrophs and heterotrophs. Heterotrophs, on the other hand, are unable to produce their own food. They depend on the food generated by autotrophs for their energy needs. Heterotrophs consume organic compounds, mainly glucose, and break them down through aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen (produced by autotrophs) to obtain the necessary energy for their metabolic processes. In summary, photosynthesis and aerobic respiration are interdependent processes that allow the cycling of materials and energy in ecosystems, facilitating the metabolic needs of both autotrophs and heterotrophs.