Respiration and Fermentation

Figure 10-1 A chemical equation for respiration showing the breakdown of glucose

A chemical equation showing the initial and final products of respiration is commonly represented as the breakdown of glucose (see figure 10-1). In this process, energy is released. This energy can then be used in doing the work of the cell. This energy is not used immediately following carbohydrate breakdown however. Rather, it is transferred to a reservoir, where it can be stored and subsequently called on. The storage reservoir for energy is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Its chemical structure is shown in figure 10-2.

Figure 10-2 The structural formula for adenosine triphosphate (ATP).