Cellular Respiration Cellular Respiration is the process used by living organisms to convert carbohydrates (sugar) in to usable energy (ATP) All living organisms must be able to make this conversion to power their cells. This is also one of the 7 characteristics of all living things.
Chemical Equation C=Carbon, H=Hydrogen, O=Oxygen C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O +ATP Carbon Dioxide Usable Energy Sugar Oxygen Water Reactants Products
WHATS GOING ON? In this reaction Sugar is being pulled apart and reformed into smaller molecules. Oxygen must be present for this to happen. The waste products of the process are CO2 and water. The product of ATP is the molecule that powers cells.