Final answer:
The best representation of the photosynthesis equation is 1) 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, which depicts the conversion of light energy into chemical energy by plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation that best represents the overall equation for photosynthesis is:
1) 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
This equation illustrates how light energy is harnessed to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, which is the fundamental process of photosynthesis occurring in plants. It accurately shows how in the presence of light, plants reduce carbon dioxide and oxidize water, thus storing energy in the chemical bonds of glucose. As a contrast, cellular respiration, which occurs in the mitochondria of cells, uses the reverse equation, releasing stored energy from glucose and producing carbon dioxide and water as waste products.
During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) combine with the help of light energy to produce glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂). This equation summarizes the process of photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide is reduced to form glucose, and water is oxidized to produce oxygen.