The overall (unbalanced) chemical equation for cellular respiration is:
##C_6H_12O_6 + O_2 CO_2 + H_2O + energy##
The balanced equation is
##C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + energy##
The equation expressed in words would be:
##glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide + water + energy##
The equation is formulated by combining the three following processes into one equation:
Glycolysis the breakdown of the form of a glucose molecule into two three-carbon molecules i.e. pyruvate (pyruvic acid).
The Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle or Krebs Cycle the three-carbon pieces are pulled apart bit by bit to release the energy stored in those covalent bonds. This is where most of the ##CO_2## is formed.
The Electron Transport Chain and Oxidative Phosphorylation this sequence requires the ##O_2## and produces most of the energy. This energy comes in the form of ##ATP## or adenine triphosphate.