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Multiple Choice
What is the balanced chemical equation for cellular respiration?
A
C6H12O6 + 6H2O → 6CO2 + 6O2 + energy
B
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + energy
C
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy
D
C6H12O6 + 6CO2 → 6O2 + 6H2O + energy
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the reactants and products involved in cellular respiration. The main reactants are glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2), and the main products are carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and energy.
Write the unbalanced chemical equation for cellular respiration: C6H12O6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O + energy.
Balance the carbon atoms first. Since there are 6 carbon atoms in glucose (C6H12O6), you need 6 CO2 molecules on the product side: C6H12O6 + O2 → 6CO2 + H2O + energy.
Next, balance the hydrogen atoms. Glucose has 12 hydrogen atoms, so you need 6 H2O molecules on the product side: C6H12O6 + O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy.
Finally, balance the oxygen atoms. Count the total oxygen atoms on the product side (6CO2 has 12 O atoms and 6H2O has 6 O atoms, totaling 18 O atoms). Therefore, you need 6 O2 molecules on the reactant side: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy.