Skip to content

Difference between Photosynthesis and Chemosynthesis

Photosynthesis-vs-Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis and photosynthesis help bacteria, plants, and algae produce food by utilizing different forms of energy. Both are vital for different species as some cannot do photosynthesis while others cannot perform chemosynthesis. While they both are food-producing processes, they differ in many ways, like their energy source, by-products, rate of the process, etc.

Photosynthesis and chemosynthesis are a gift of nature to organisms to meet their food needs by utilizing available resources. Photosynthesis makes the use of light energy for the process, while chemosynthesis occurs through energy generated by inorganic reactions. They utilize carbon dioxide to fuel the process and produce oxygen and sulfur as by-products.

To understand these processes in detail, here are the primary differences between Photosynthesis and Chemosynthesis.

Basis of comparisonPhotosynthesisChemosynthesis
OrganismsPlants, green algae, cyanobacteriaDeep-sea creatures
Source of energySunlightChemical reactions
By-productOxygenSulfur
PigmentsChlorophyll, Carotenoids, PhycobilinsNo pigments
PlastidsChloroplastsNot involved
OccurrenceDaytimeDay and Night
Process rateRapidSlower
Contribution to biospheric energyHigherLower

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

By definition, “Photosynthesis is the process of converting Carbon Dioxide and Water to Oxygen and Glucose in the presence of Sunlight and Chlorophyll.”

Photosynthesis is essential for plants to manufacture food as they cannot obtain energy from other sources.

Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis; thus, the process occurs during the day in the presence of the sun. Photosynthesis occurs in two forms; aerobic/ oxygenic and anaerobic/ anoxygenic. Oxygenic photosynthesis is the most common type of photosynthesis occurring in green plants, different types of algae, and cyanobacteria. On the other hand, anoxygenic photosynthesis occurs in green and purple sulfur bacteria. While oxygen is considered a by-product of photosynthesis, purple and green sulfur bacteria do not produce any amount of oxygen.

Photosynthesis is an essential process for the sustenance of the environment as oxygen released as a by-product is vital for humans and animals, unlike any fungi Green plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria exhibiting this behavior are called photoautotrophs. They contribute highly to maintaining the Earth’s oxygen content.

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen

Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis is defined as “The production of organic compounds through the energy obtained from oxidizing inorganic matter.”

Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis is usually utilized by organisms and bacteria living deep under the oceans and seas where the sunlight cannot reach them. Contrasting to photosynthesis, chemosynthesis produces sulfur as the by-product as a result of the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen and carbon dioxide. Organisms that perform chemosynthesis are called Chemoorganotrophs.

Chemoorganotrophs are typically present in hypothermal vents in deep water where no sunlight is present. They utilize the compounds from the seafloor as their energy source to produce food. The process of chemosynthesis is mainly a food-production mechanism for microbes living on the seabed. Some organisms like tube worms tend to have a symbiotic relationship with chemosynthetic bacteria. Their ability to utilize already present compounds as a source of energy allows them to thrive underwater.

18H2S + 6CO2 + 3O2 → C6H12O6 + 12H2O + 18S

Hydrogen Sulphide + Carbon Dioxide + Oxygen → Glucose + Water + Sulphur

Similarities between Photosynthesis and Chemosynthesis

While both processes differ in the reactants and by-products, they possess some similarities, including;

Differences between Photosynthesis and Chemosynthesis

Organisms

Photosynthesis

It usually occurs in plants with green pigments, like green plants, cyanobacteria, green algae, mosses, etc. Higher plants or vascular plants have pigment in their leaves for the process.

Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis is carried out by underwater creatures living deep under the sea and ocean that utilize inorganic reactions as their energy source.

Energy Source

Photosynthesis 

Photosynthesis utilizes sunlight as the fundamental energy source to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen.

Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis occurs through the reaction of hydrogen sulfide to release energy for carbohydrate synthesis. They use the present compounds underwater to produce energy.

By-product

Photosynthesis

Oxygen is produced as a by-product during photosynthesis and is essential for cellular respiration. However, some photosynthetic organisms like purple and blue sulfur bacteria do not produce oxygen as a by-product.

Chemosynthesis

Sulfur is produced as a result of chemosynthesis by organisms living in deep seas and oceans.

Pigment

Photosynthesis

Green pigments, including chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, and phycobilins, are involved in the process.

Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis does not involve pigments.

Plastids

Photosynthesis

Chloroplasts are plastids in plants involved in photosynthesis. They are responsible for converting light energy into stable chemical energy through photosynthesis which produces oxygen.

Chemosynthesis

No plastids are present in Chemoorganotrophs, and they produce energy by utilizing chemicals in hypothermal vents.

Occurrence

Photosynthesis

As photosynthetic plants need sunlight to convert carbon dioxide, it occurs during the day only.

Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis occurs during the day as well as at night because of the bacteria’s ability to obtain energy from inorganic chemical processes.

Process Rate

Photosynthesis

Provided with direct light, photosynthesis is a relatively rapid process.

Chemosynthesis

It is a slow process compared to photosynthesis.

Contribution to Biospheric Energy

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis mainly happens on land, providing oxygen to other living organisms and contributing to biospheric energy.

Chemosynthesis

Chemosynthesis occurs in deep waters and does not play a major role in the sustenance of the atmosphere.

The Bottom Line

The differences between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis are dynamic as both processes are essential for the survival of different plants and bacteria, unlike yeasts that utilize cellular respiration and fermentation process. They use different energy sources and carbon dioxide to convert reactants into food and energy sources. However, photosynthesis contributes primarily to the sustenance of life by converting sunlight into carbohydrates and oxygen for respiration. Life on Earth would not be possible without photosynthesis, as humans need oxygen for proper body functioning.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *