The equation for cellular respiration, which describes how glucose is broken down with oxygen to produce energy, carbon dioxide, and water, is:
C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+energy (ATP)\text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6+6\text{O}_2\rightarrow 6\text{CO}_2+6\text{H}_2\text{O}+\text{energy (ATP)}C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+energy (ATP)
This means one molecule of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) reacts with six molecules of oxygen (O₂) to produce six molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂), six molecules of water (H₂O), and energy stored in ATP molecules
. This overall reaction summarizes the aerobic cellular respiration process, which occurs in multiple steps inside cells to gradually release energy from glucose for cellular activities
. The reaction is essentially the reverse of photosynthesis and is a key part of the carbon cycle, maintaining stable levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
