Final answer:
Cellular respiration is a series of redox reactions in cells that convert nutrients into ATP and waste, involving three major stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and electron transport.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cellular respiration is a crucial biological process where cells convert nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), through a series of redox reactions, and release waste products. This process includes stages such as glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle), and electron transport. The summary equation encapsulating this is C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Chemical Energy (in ATP). In this series of reactions, glucose is oxidized, meaning it loses electrons, while oxygen is reduced, gaining electrons, which is essential for ATP production. Redox reactions are also central in photosynthesis, where they operate in reverse: energy from sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.