The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Living Things
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is really important for how living things get energy. It plays a key part in two processes: photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
What is it?
Photosynthesis happens mostly in plants, algae, and some tiny organisms called bacteria.
Basic Equation:
Here’s a simple way to see what happens during photosynthesis:
6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂
How Much CO₂?
Plants take in about 100 billion metric tons of CO₂ every year!
What Happens to CO₂?
The plants change CO₂ into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. This gives them energy and the materials they need to grow.
What is it?
Cellular respiration takes place in a part of the cell called the mitochondria. Both plants and animals do this.
Basic Equation:
Here’s how we can see what happens during cellular respiration:
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + energy (ATP)
What Happens to Glucose?
For every molecule of glucose used, six molecules of CO₂ are released as waste.
Energy Produced:
This process creates about 36 units of energy called ATP from one glucose molecule.
The CO₂ that comes from cellular respiration is used in photosynthesis. This creates a cycle that helps keep the amount of CO₂ in the air balanced.
So, in short, carbon dioxide connects these two important processes, helping life continue on Earth!
The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Living Things
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is really important for how living things get energy. It plays a key part in two processes: photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
What is it?
Photosynthesis happens mostly in plants, algae, and some tiny organisms called bacteria.
Basic Equation:
Here’s a simple way to see what happens during photosynthesis:
6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂
How Much CO₂?
Plants take in about 100 billion metric tons of CO₂ every year!
What Happens to CO₂?
The plants change CO₂ into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. This gives them energy and the materials they need to grow.
What is it?
Cellular respiration takes place in a part of the cell called the mitochondria. Both plants and animals do this.
Basic Equation:
Here’s how we can see what happens during cellular respiration:
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + energy (ATP)
What Happens to Glucose?
For every molecule of glucose used, six molecules of CO₂ are released as waste.
Energy Produced:
This process creates about 36 units of energy called ATP from one glucose molecule.
The CO₂ that comes from cellular respiration is used in photosynthesis. This creates a cycle that helps keep the amount of CO₂ in the air balanced.
So, in short, carbon dioxide connects these two important processes, helping life continue on Earth!