Question

Summarize how cellular respiration and photosynthesis are important to the carbon cycle.

Answer 1

Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are the two processes which regulate the CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis will absorb CO2 present in the air and use it to convert it in to carbohydrate such as glucose. So photosynthesis is removing C from the atmosphere. Where as respiration burns gucose and converts in to CO2. Respiration provides energy for the survival of the organism. Respiration is releasing the C in the form of CO2 in to the air. Where as the photosynthesis is absorbing the C in the form of CO2 from the air. If the number of plants are less , there will be less withdrawl of CO2 from atmosphere. This increases the green house effect of the earth. If the rate of respiration is lower and rate photosynthesis is more, levels of CO2 will be less in the air. Levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are 0.04%. If there is no respiration, return of CO2 to the atmosphere will be affected.

This is how the C cycle is dependent on the processes respiration and photosynthesis.