Question

label the reactants and products below
c6h12o6 + o2 → co2 + h2o + energy
____ + __ → __ + __ + ____
count the number of each atom in front of arrow: c = ____ h = __ o = ____
count the number of each atom after the arrow: c = ____ h = __ o = ____
what do you notice about the numbers? why do you think this is true?
2 - this process occurs in what type of organisms?

Explanation:

Step1: Label reactants and products

Reactants are on the left of the arrow: \(C_6H_{12}O_6\) and \(O_2\). Products are on the right: \(CO_2\), \(H_2O\), energy.

Step2: Count atoms before arrow (\(C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2\))

• For \(C\): In \(C_6H_{12}O_6\), there are \(6\) carbon atoms.
• For \(H\): In \(C_6H_{12}O_6\), there are \(12\) hydrogen atoms.
• For \(O\): In \(C_6H_{12}O_6\) there are \(6\) oxygen atoms, and in \(O_2\) there are \(2\) oxygen atoms. So total \(6 + 2=8\) oxygen atoms.

Step3: Count atoms after arrow (\(CO_2+H_2O+\text{energy}\))

• For \(C\): In \(CO_2\), if we assume the balanced equation (though not fully shown here, but based on stoichiometry of cellular respiration \(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2 + 6H_2O+\text{energy}\)), for \(6CO_2\) there are \(6\) carbon atoms.

• For \(H\): In \(6H_2O\), there are \(2\times6 = 12\) hydrogen atoms.
• For \(O\): In \(6CO_2\) there are \(2\times6=12\) oxygen atoms, and in \(6H_2O\) there are \(6\) oxygen atoms. So total \(12 + 6=18\) (but wait, original reactants: if it's \(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2\), reactant \(O\) is \(6 + 12=18\) (since \(O_2\) has \(2\) per molecule and \(6\) molecules). So correct count:
• \(C = 6\), \(H=12\), \(O = 18\) (after assuming balanced equation as \(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2 + 6H_2O+\text{energy}\))

Step4: Notice about numbers

The number of each type of atom (C, H, O) is the same on both sides of the equation. This is due to the law of conservation of mass. In a chemical reaction, atoms are neither created nor destroyed, only rearranged.

Step5: Organisms

This process (cellular respiration) occurs in all eukaryotic organisms (animals, plants, fungi, protists) and many prokaryotic organisms (some bacteria). In eukaryotes, it mainly occurs in mitochondria.

Answer:

• Reactants: \(C_6H_{12}O_6\), \(O_2\); Products: \(CO_2\), \(H_2O\), energy
• Count before arrow: \(C = 6\), \(H = 12\), \(O = 18\) (assuming \(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2\))
• Count after arrow: \(C = 6\), \(H = 12\), \(O = 18\)
• Notice: Atom counts (C, H, O) are equal on both sides. Reason: Law of conservation of mass (atoms are rearranged, not created/destroyed)
• Organisms: All eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi, protists) and many prokaryotes (e.g., some bacteria)