Photosynthesis
Light energy stored as glucose, in the chloroplast
Animations
Watch each stage step by step, or see it all at once.
Label Lab
Drag labels onto diagrams against the clock.
The two processes run in opposite directions. Each one makes what the other needs. Start with the big picture, then open the step-by-step animations or test yourself in the Label Labs.
Applies to every animation and Label Lab. You can still change it inside each one.
Light energy stored as glucose, in the chloroplast
Watch each stage step by step, or see it all at once.
Drag labels onto diagrams against the clock.
Glucose broken down to make ATP, in the cytoplasm and mitochondrion
Follow one glucose from glycolysis to the electron transport chain.
Drag labels onto diagrams and an electron micrograph.
| Photosynthesis | Cellular respiration | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Chloroplast | Cytoplasm, then mitochondrion |
| Which organisms | Plants, algae and some bacteria | Nearly all living things, plants included |
| Reactants | CO₂ + H₂O, using light energy | Glucose + O₂ |
| Products | Glucose + O₂ | CO₂ + H₂O + ATP (and heat) |
| Energy change | Light energy → chemical energy in glucose | Chemical energy in glucose → ATP |
| Stages | Light-dependent reactions, Calvin cycle | Glycolysis, link reaction, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain |
| Electron carrier | NADPH | NADH and FADH₂ |
| H⁺ gradient builds in | Thylakoid space | Intermembrane space |
| Final electron acceptor | NADP⁺ | O₂ |
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