Cellular respiration is a process involving the breakdown of glucose molecules in order to generate energy for cellular activities. Given the general reaction below, which of the following best describes the products labeled $x$ and $y$?
$C_6 H_{12} O_6+O_2 \rightarrow x_{-}+y_{-}+\text {energy }$
A. The products are CO (carbon monoxide) and $H _2 O _2$ (hydrogen peroxide), which then decompose into carbon dioxide $\left( CO _2\right)$ and water $\left( H _2 O \right)$.
B. The products are $H _2 O$ (water) and $CO _2$ (carbon dioxide), which then undergo anaerobic respiration.
C. The products are $CO _2$ (carbon dioxide) and $H _2 O$ (water), which then become the reactants for photosynthesis.
D. The products are $O _2$ (oxygen) and $H _2 O$ (water), which are then used for growth and to keep the organism hydrated.
Answer (1)
Cellular respiration uses glucose and oxygen to produce energy.
The primary products of cellular respiration are carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ) and water ( H 2 O ).
These products are then used as reactants in photosynthesis.
Therefore, the correct answer is that C O 2 and H 2 O become the reactants for photosynthesis. C O 2 and H 2 O
Explanation
Understanding the Problem Cellular respiration is a fundamental process where glucose ( C 6 H 12 O 6 ) is broken down in the presence of oxygen ( O 2 ) to produce energy. The general equation is given as C 6 H 12 O 6 + O 2 → x + y + energy . Our task is to identify what x and y represent in this reaction.
Identifying the Products Cellular respiration is a well-studied process, and its primary products are carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ) and water ( H 2 O ). These products are then used as reactants in photosynthesis.
Evaluating the Options Now, let's examine the given options:
Option 1 suggests the products are carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen peroxide ( H 2 O 2 ). This is incorrect, as these are not the primary products of cellular respiration.
Option 2 suggests the products are water ( H 2 O ) and carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ), which then undergo anaerobic respiration. While the products are correct, the statement about anaerobic respiration is misleading in this context.
Option 3 suggests the products are carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ) and water ( H 2 O ), which then become the reactants for photosynthesis. This accurately describes the role of these products in the broader cycle of energy and matter in ecosystems.
Option 4 suggests the products are oxygen ( O 2 ) and water ( H 2 O ). This is incorrect, as oxygen is a reactant, not a product, of cellular respiration.
Conclusion Based on our analysis, the correct answer is that the products are carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ) and water ( H 2 O ), which then become the reactants for photosynthesis.
Examples
Cellular respiration is like a car engine. The engine takes in fuel (glucose) and oxygen, and it produces energy to move the car, along with exhaust gases (carbon dioxide) and water. Plants then use these exhaust gases and water in photosynthesis to create more fuel. Understanding this cycle helps us appreciate how energy and matter flow through ecosystems, connecting different life forms.
