Photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, does not occur during the night. Photosynthesis requires light as one of its essential components, specifically the energy from sunlight, to power the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. In the absence of light, such as during the night or in dark environments, photosynthesis does not take place.
On the other hand, cellular respiration is a process that occurs in both plant and animal cells to generate energy from glucose and other organic molecules. Unlike photosynthesis, cellular respiration can occur both during the day and at night. While plants primarily rely on photosynthesis to produce glucose during the day, they still perform cellular respiration to break down the glucose and release the stored energy. This energy is utilized for various cellular activities, growth, and maintenance, regardless of the time of day.
In animals, cellular respiration is a continuous process that occurs throughout the day and night. It is the main metabolic pathway by which cells extract energy from organic molecules to fuel their functions, regardless of the availability of light. Therefore, while photosynthesis is dependent on light and does not occur at night, cellular respiration takes place in both plants and animals, functioning continuously to provide energy for cellular processes.