How are photosynthesis and aerobic respiration related?

Autotrophs harvest energy directly from the environment and store it in the form of sugars and other carbohydrates. They and all other organisms use energy stored in sugars to power various endergonic reactions that sustain life. Photosynthesis produces sugars and, in most organisms, it also releases oxygen. The breakdown of sugars in aerobic respiration requires oxygen, and it produces carbon dioxide and water-the raw materials from which photosynthetic organisms make the sugars in the first place.