Respiration is the reverse of photosynthesis and is really a way of releasing solar energy that has been captured and stored within cells through photosynthesis. While photosynthesis uses energy from sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into energy-storing carbohydrates, leaving oxygen as a waste product, respiration uses the chemical energy of oxygen to pilfer the energy warehoused in carbohydrates, leaving carbon dioxide and water as waste products. The general formula for respiration is CH2O (carbohydrates) + O2 → CO2 + H2O + energy.
