Biology Forum Cell Biology Analogy – cellular respiration and photosynthesis…

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    • #490
      biology12
      Participant

      An analogy can be made between the molecule glucose and a compressed spring. The process of photosynthesis makes glucose. Releasing the spring is like cellular respiration. Explain the analogy. Think you could help me out…Thank You in advance..

    • #20246
      mith
      Participant

      Think of it less as a spring and more of the state of the spring. When it’s coiled it has energy and when it’s not held in coils it can release energy(the bounce).

    • #20248
      biostudent84
      Participant

      Oooh! Took a bit of thinking.

      Glucose (C6H12O6) is one molecule…when it goes through cellular respiration it “expands” into two molecules (HOH and CO2). Photosynthesis “compresses” the two molecules back into Glucose.

      Kosher?

      P.S. HOH is the Chemi-Politically Correct way for saying H2O. RobJim could tell you more about why…I forgot the wording to properly explain it. When I got bored of chemistry and switched to biology, I forgot the little things like that.

      Kyle

    • #20256
      2810712
      Participant

      expand???
      glucose breaks into those, still its good I think.
      hrushikesh

    • #20263
      biostudent84
      Participant

      “Breaks into those” is the best term for what glucose does…but “expand” fits the analogy…

    • #20280
      biology12
      Participant

      thank you all again for your advice……helped finish the question.

    • #20361
      Miko
      Participant

      Hello, is there another analogy aside from the spring that can help one understand the difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. How would you explain this to a first or second grader.

    • #20373
      biostudent84
      Participant

      [quote="Miko"]Hello, is there another analogy aside from the spring that can help one understand the difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. How would you explain this to a first or second grader.[/quote

      When I was in second grade, I was just told that plants breathe in carbon dioxide (what we breathe out), and breathe out oxygen (what we breathe in). They eat water.

    • #20376
      Poison
      Participant

      😀 a very good way of explaining.

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