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Multiple Choice
What is the balanced chemical equation for cellular respiration?
A
C6H12O6 + 6CO2 → 6O2 + 6H2O + energy
B
C6H12O6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O + 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 main reactant is glucose (C6H12O6), and the products are carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and energy.
Recognize that oxygen (O2) is required for the process of cellular respiration, as it is an aerobic process.
Write the unbalanced chemical equation for cellular respiration: C6H12O6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O + energy.
Balance the equation by ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. Start with carbon: C6H12O6 has 6 carbon atoms, so you need 6 CO2 molecules on the product side.
Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. C6H12O6 has 12 hydrogen atoms, so you need 6 H2O molecules on the product side. Finally, balance the oxygen atoms. You have 6 CO2 and 6 H2O, which require 12 oxygen atoms, so you need 6 O2 molecules on the reactant side. The balanced equation is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy.