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Cellular Respiration equation:
story, analogy and memory trick

The Cellular Respiration equation is C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy (ATP). Cells break down glucose with oxygen to release energy as ATP, giving off carbon dioxide and water.

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BiologyClass 11NEETCUET

The Cellular Respiration equation

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy (ATP)
  • C₆H₁₂O₆glucose, the fuel
  • O₂oxygen taken in
  • CO₂carbon dioxide given out
  • ATPthe energy currency of the cell

The story

The glucose made by the leaf is a packed lunch. In the cell's power station, the mitochondrion, the lunch is burnt with six O₂ to give the cell energy to work. The smoke that leaves is six CO₂ and six H₂O, the very ingredients photosynthesis started with.

Real-life analogy

Think of a petrol engine. Fuel (glucose) burns with oxygen, the engine gets energy, and the exhaust is carbon dioxide and water.

Memory trick

It is photosynthesis run backwards. Learn one equation, flip it to get the other, and swap 'light energy' for 'ATP energy'.

Exam tip

Many textbooks give about 36 to 38 ATP per glucose in aerobic respiration, but counts vary, so follow your syllabus. Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm, while the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain are in the mitochondria.

FAQ

Questions about Cellular Respiration

What is the Cellular Respiration equation?
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy (ATP). Cells break down glucose with oxygen to release energy as ATP, giving off carbon dioxide and water.
How do I remember the Cellular Respiration equation?
It is photosynthesis run backwards. Learn one equation, flip it to get the other, and swap 'light energy' for 'ATP energy'.
What should I watch out for in exams with Cellular Respiration?
Many textbooks give about 36 to 38 ATP per glucose in aerobic respiration, but counts vary, so follow your syllabus. Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm, while the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain are in the mitochondria.

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Photosynthesis

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Plants use light energy to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, mainly in the chloroplasts of their leaves.

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p² + 2pq + q² = 1

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When two heterozygous (Tt) parents are crossed, the F2 offspring show a 3:1 phenotypic ratio and a 1:2:1 genotypic ratio.

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Last updated: . ThunderStudy is owned and maintained by Wondermayank, a solo student developer who has been building free educational tools since 2018. AI and summary notes can contain mistakes, so check important formulas against your textbook.