Is respiration the opposite of photosynthesis? Solution Note that photosynthesis

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Note that photosynthesis is a reduction-oxidation reaction, just like respiration. In respiration energy is released from sugars when electrons associated with hydrogen are transported to oxygen (the electron acceptor), and water is formed as a byproduct. The mitochondria use the energy released in this oxidation in order to synthesize ATP. (C6H12O6+6O2 --> 6CO2+6H2O+36ATP) In photosynthesis, the electron flow is reversed, the water is split (not formed), and the electrons are transferred from the water to CO2 and in the process the energy is used to reduce the CO2 into sugar. (6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2) In respiration the energy yield is 686 kcal per mole of glucose oxidized to CO2, while photosynthesis requires 686 kcal of energy to boost the electrons from the water to their high-energy perches in the reduced sugar -- light provides this energy.

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