Final answer:
Cellular respiration is the biological process through which cells convert glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. This involves glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain, and is vital for energy production in living organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cellular Respiration
The overall chemical reaction for cellular respiration is a key concept in biology that involves the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy in the form of ATP. This process occurs in the cells of all living organisms, both autotrophs and heterotrophs. The equation representing this biological process is:
C6H12O6 + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)
Cellular respiration occurs in three major stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. During glycolysis, one molecule of glucose is split into two molecules of pyruvate. The Krebs cycle further breaks down these pyruvate molecules to produce energy carriers like NADH and FADH₂, which are then used in the electron transport chain to generate a high yield of ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
The process is a catabolic pathway in which organic molecules are broken down to release energy for use by the cell, contributing to important biological functions such as muscle contraction, cell division, and maintaining the balance of metabolism.
In summary, cellular respiration is essential for converting the energy in food to a form usable by cells, mainly ATP. It also plays a role in maintaining stable atmospheric levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide through its relationship with photosynthesis, its counter-process in the global carbon cycle.