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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical equation for cellular respiration?
A
C6H12O6 + 6CO2 → 6O2 + 6H2O + energy
B
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + energy
C
C6H12O6 + 6H2O → 6CO2 + 6O2 + energy
D
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the reactants and products involved in cellular respiration. The process involves glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) as reactants, and carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and energy as products.
Understand the purpose of cellular respiration, which is to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.
Recognize that cellular respiration is a catabolic pathway for the production of ATP, involving the oxidation of glucose.
Balance the chemical equation by ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation. For cellular respiration, this involves 6 molecules of oxygen reacting with 1 molecule of glucose to produce 6 molecules of carbon dioxide and 6 molecules of water.
Verify the balanced equation: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy, ensuring that it reflects the stoichiometry of the process, with 6 carbon, 12 hydrogen, and 18 oxygen atoms on both sides.