Final answer:
The chemical equation 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 represents photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide and water produce glucose and oxygen using sunlight. Despite its simple appearance, it summarizes complex reactions within two stages: the light reactions and the Calvin cycle. This balance with cellular respiration maintains the carbon cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis
The chemical equation of photosynthesis is a simplistic representation of a complex biological process. The equation is: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This equation states that six molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) and six molecules of water (H2O) react to form one molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) and six molecules of oxygen (O2), all in the presence of sunlight. Although this photosynthesis equation appears straightforward, in reality, it summarizes a sequence of multiple reactions within chloroplasts that are split into two stages: the light reactions and the Calvin cycle.
This process is not only essential for plant life but also plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle. The glucose produced is utilized by plants as energy and building material, which is later passed on to consumers in the ecosystem. Conversely, cellular respiration in organisms, like humans, takes the glucose and ultimately converts it back to CO2, which is then exhaled back into the atmosphere, completing the carbon cycle. This relationship clearly shows that the carbon in living things is continuously recycled in a balance between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.