BASIC CONCEPTS OF MITOSIS PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND RESPIRATION
One of the most important processes in living organisms is cell division, either through mitosis or meiosis. While in meiosis, a parent cell gives rise to four daughter cells with the haploid number of chromosomes. In mitosis, each parent cell gives rise to two daughter cells genetically identical to the parent cell. Mitosis gives rise to new cells needed to grow or repair worn-out tissues, but meiosis gives rise to gametes I the gonads needed for sexual reproduction. Mitosis is part of the cell cycle, including G1, S, G2, and M stage (Malazarte, 11). During mitosis, the cell membrane, the nuclear membrane, the chromosomes, and the centrosome undergo distinct changes in each of the five phases of the process. The five phases include interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Interphase is the initial phase in cell division, where the cell prepares itself for cell division. During this phase, the cell replicates its DNA, duplication of its centrosomes, builds up energy to be utilized for the rest of the process. Prophase is the next phase when the chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle forms(Malazarte, 12). Prometaphase then follows, whereby the nuclear membrane breaks down, the microtubules of the centrosome start attaching to the chromosomes’ kinetochores. The cell progresses to metaphase, where the chromosomes become aligned in the middle of the cell, also referred to as the metaphase plate. The next stage, named anaphase, is characterized by the movement of chromatids of each chromosome towards opposite poles of the cell (Malazarte, 13). This stage ensures that each of the daughter cells upon separation will have an equal number of chromosomes. Finally, the cell undergoes telophase and cytokinesis phase, where the nuclei of each daughter cell forms, cells elongate, and the cleavage furrow is formed. In-plant cells, a cell plate will form rather than a cleavage furrow (Malazarte, 13). The new daughter cells formed will then go back to the initial interphase, and the cycle repeats itself.
Stages of mitosis
(Malazarte, 12).
Photosynthesis
This refers to the series of reactions through which green plants and other specific organisms utilize light energy and other inorganic compounds to form chemical energy. During this process, light energy is trapped by the chlorophyll in green plants and then utilized to transform water, carbon IV oxide, and some minerals to oxygen and complex organic compounds rich in chemical energy (Krall et al., 46). Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells. The first stage of the process, called the light stage, which involves splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms, takes place in the chloroplast’s grana. The second stage of the process takes place in the stroma. It involves a reaction of carbon IV oxide with from the light stage and some minerals to form complex organic compounds as illustrated below (Krall et al., 46).
The chloroplast
The process of photosynthesis
The chemical equation for the process of photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O + Sunlight ———> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Carbon IV oxide + water + sunlight carbohydrates + oxygen
Respiration
This is another crucial process in living organisms, which involves breaking down glucose into energy in ATP, the primary energy carrier molecule in living organisms. Cellular respiration can take place either in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) or in its absence (anaerobic) (Bergan-Roller et al., 96). Respiratory reactions occur in the mitochondria, which is like the power house of the cell. The mitochondria have their inner membrane folded to form cristae, which increase the surface area for respiratory reactions. Space in-between the cristae is called the matrix and contains enzymes taking part in respiration. (Bergan-Roller et al., 97). During this process, oxygen reacts with glucose to form ATP to be utilized for various cell activities. Products of the process include carbon IV oxide and water besides energy.
The mitochondrion
(Bergan-Roller et al., 98).
The chemical equation for aerobic cellular respiration is:
Glucose + oxygen carbon (iv) oxide + water + energy
Cellular respiration takes place in three stages, namely; glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and oxidative respiration. Some living organisms can continually convert glucose to energy without oxygen (Bergan-Roller et al., 98). The process involves glycolysis and the anaerobic reaction of fermentation to produce ATP.
Photosynthesis versus respiration
Both respiration and photosynthesis are vital processes in sustaining the ecosystem since oxygen produced during photosynthesis is used for cellular respiration in living organisms. Similarly, the carbon IV oxide produced during respiration is utilized by green plants during photosynthesis to make food, which is the energy source for the entire ecosystem. Respiration can be regarded as the reverse of photosynthesis when considering the raw materials and the two processes (Krall et al., 48). The two processes are also complementary in nature since photosynthesis products (oxygen and glucose) are utilized as the raw materials of cell respiration. Similarly, the products of respiration (carbon IV oxide and water) are utilized as the raw materials of photosynthesis (carbon dioxide and water)
The two processes can also be regarded as the reverse of each other because photosynthesis is an anabolic process, while respiration is a catabolic process in many ways (Krall et al., 48). For example, during photosynthesis, water is split into oxygen and hydrogen used to make glucose while releasing electrons. In contrast, during respiration’s Krebs cycle, glucose is broken down to release hydrogen carriers as well as carbon IV oxide.
Works cited
Malazarte, Anita. “MITOSIS AND CYTOKINESIS MADE VISIBLE: AN INTERACTIVE LESSON IN GRADE 12 BIOLOGY 1.” 53rd BIOTA Annual National Convention and Scientific Sessions. 2018.
Krall, Rebecca McNall, Kimberly H. Lott, and Carol L. Wymer. “Inservice elementary and middle school teachers’ conceptions of photosynthesis and respiration.” Journal of Science Teacher Education 20.1 (2009): 41-55.
Bergan-Roller, Heather E., et al. “Using concept maps to characterize cellular respiration knowledge in undergraduate students.” Journal of Biological Education 54.1 (2020): 33-46.ncertainties and opportunities.” Remote sensing of environment 223 (2019): 95-114.