photorespiration vs. photosynthesis

photorespiration

[foh-toh-res-puh-rey-shuhn] / ˌfoʊ toʊˌrɛs pəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

the oxidation of carbohydrates in many higher plants in which they get oxygen from light and then release carbon dioxide, somewhat different from photosynthesis.

photosynthesis

[foh-tuh-sin-thuh-sis] / ˌfoʊ təˈsɪn θə sɪs /

Biology, Biochemistry.

the complex process by which carbon dioxide, water, and certain inorganic salts are converted into carbohydrates by green plants, algae, and certain bacteria, using energy from the sun and chlorophyll.