Expert: Walter Hintz - 8/14/2007

Question
when 6 molecules of carbon dioxide mixes with 6 molecules of water, it produces one molecule of sugar, then the single molecule of sugar combines with 6 molecules of oxygen
Then what?
Can you please describe the rest of the steps in plant respiaration, so that I can get a better understanding of plant respiaration?

Answer
Hi Nathaniel
What you have stated is photosynthesis not respiration.
Here are the equations
6H2O  +  6CO2>>>>>>>>>> C6H12O6   + 6O2  (photosynthesis)

When the reaction goes the other direction it is respiration
 C6H12O6  +   6O2  >>>>>>>>>6CO2  +  6H2O (respiration

In the presense of light the first occurs storing energy in the sugar.  In the dark the second occurs supplying energy to the plant.  We get our energy by eating the plant or an animal that eats the plant.