A cow must take in substances,such as plants, that already contain chemical energy. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants are able to capture light energy and use that energy to make food. Cows and other animals like us need energy from sugar, but we also need oxygen for life processes. The sugar and oxygen produced during photosynthesis are in turn used by animals to produce carbon dioxide, water and stored energy. This process is known as respiration .
Respiration occurs in the mitochondria of animal cells.
Respiration is almost the exact opposite reaction to photosynthesis. These two reactions work together to maintain a biological balance on earth. Return to the 8th Grade Integrated Science Sci-ber Text Page . Visit the Utah State 8th Grade Integrated Science Core Curriculum Page . USOE Home Page Copyright by the Utah State Office of Education.