How are plants and animals chemically connected?

Plants and animals are chemically connected through processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Plants convert sunlight into chemical energy by synthesizing glucose from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. Animals, in turn, consume plants (and other animals) to obtain energy, metabolizing the organic compounds and releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere through respiration. This interdependence highlights the cyclical flow of energy and matter in ecosystems.