Final answer:
The equation summarizing photosynthesis is 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, which signifies the redox reaction of converting CO₂ and H₂O into glucose and O₂ with the aid of sunlight and ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation that best summarizes the overall reactions of photosynthesis is 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. In this process, six molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and six molecules of water (H₂O) combine in the presence of sunlight to produce one molecule of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and six molecules of oxygen (O₂). This is a redox reaction where carbon dioxide is reduced to glucose, and water is oxidized to produce oxygen.
While the equation may appear simple, photosynthesis consists of complex stages, such as the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. The energy required for this synthesis is provided by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Conversely, the process of cellular respiration, which occurs in organisms that require oxygen, uses glucose and oxygen to produce energy, releasing water and carbon dioxide as waste products, thereby showing the reverse of the photosynthesis equation.