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Multiple Choice
What is the overall chemical equation for cellular respiration?
A
C6H12O6 + 6H2O → 6CO2 + 6O2 + energy
B
C6H12O6 + 6CO2 → 6O2 + 6H2O + energy
C
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + energy
D
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the reactants and products in the process of cellular respiration. The main reactant is glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2), while the main products are carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and energy.
Understand that cellular respiration is a catabolic pathway that breaks down glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy, which is stored in the form of ATP.
Write the general chemical equation for cellular respiration: C6H12O6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O + energy.
Balance the chemical equation by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. For cellular respiration, this involves balancing the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
The balanced chemical equation for cellular respiration is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy. This shows that one molecule of glucose reacts with six molecules of oxygen to produce six molecules of carbon dioxide, six molecules of water, and energy.