Answer:
This question is not well structured. Based on understanding, the correct structure should be: How are the processes of photosynthesis and respiration opposites of one another?
They are opposite because photosynthesis uses the products of cellular respiration and vice versa.
Explanation:
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are both metabolic processes that occurs within the cells of living organisms. Photosynthesis is the process where green plants synthesize food (sugar) in the presence of sunlight using carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The general equation is as follows:
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
On the other hand, respiration is the process whereby cells of living organisms synthesize usable energy (ATP) for use by breaking down glucose (C6H12O6) in the presence of oxygen. The equation is as follows:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
Based on the observation of the reactants and products of each process, it can be realized that the PRODUCTS of one process is the REACTANTS of the other. In other words, photosynthesis makes use of CO2 and water as REACTANTS, which are the PRODUCTS of respiration while cellular respiration uses glucose and oxygen as REACTANTS, which are PRODUCTS of photosynthesis.
