What is the correct chemical equation for respiration?

The correct chemical equation for respiration illustrates the process of aerobic cellular respiration, where glucose (C6H12O6) is utilized by living organisms to produce energy. This reaction takes place in the mitochondria of cells and is crucial for generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell.

In the equation, glucose reacts with oxygen (6O2) to produce ATP energy, carbon dioxide (6CO2), and water (6H2O). The breakdown of glucose yields ATP, which is essential for various cellular functions, while carbon dioxide and water are released as byproducts.

This process is fundamental to life because it provides the energy necessary for all biological functions. The production of ATP from glucose demonstrates how energy from food can be transformed into a usable form for cellular activities, meeting the energetic demands of the organism.

The other options do not accurately represent the process of respiration as they either depict photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen, or they alter the correct reactants and products involved in respiration. Understanding this distinction is key for grasping the roles of cellular respiration in biological systems.