Question

this is the overall formula for the redox reactions that are going on during cellular respiration in your cells right now:

c₆h₁₂o₆ (glucose) + 6 o₂ (molecular oxygen) → 6 co₂ (carbon dioxide) + 6 h₂o (water)

based on the inputs and outputs in this formula, predict which of the following processes that occur in your body are a result of cellular respiration in your cells.

you exhale carbon dioxide (co₂).

you breathe in molecular oxygen (o₂).

you take in the sugar glucose (c₆h₁₂o₆) when you eat, and your cells convert other substances to glucose as needed.

you exhale, urinate, or reuse the water (h₂o) produced from cellular respiration.

some of your cells can use carbon dioxide (co₂) to produce glucose (c₆h₁₂o₆).

Explanation:

• For the first option: In cellular respiration, \(CO_2\) is a product (\(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2 + 6H_2O\)), so exhaling \(CO_2\) is a result of cellular respiration.

• For the second option: \(O_2\) is a reactant in cellular respiration (\(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2 + 6H_2O\)), so breathing in \(O_2\) is related to providing the reactant for cellular respiration.

• For the third option: Glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) is a reactant in cellular respiration (\(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2 + 6H_2O\)), so taking in glucose (and cells making it if needed) is to supply the reactant for cellular respiration.

• For the fourth option: \(H_2O\) is a product of cellular respiration (\(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2 + 6H_2O\)), so handling the produced \(H_2O\) (exhaling, urinating, re - using) is a result of cellular respiration.

• For the fifth option: The formula \(C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2 + 6H_2O\) shows that cellular respiration consumes \(C_6H_{12}O_6\) and produces \(CO_2\), not the reverse (using \(CO_2\) to make \(C_6H_{12}O_6\) is more like photosynthesis in plants).

Answer:

• You exhale carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)).
• You breathe in molecular oxygen (\(O_2\)).
• You take in the sugar glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) when you eat, and your cells convert other substances to glucose as needed.
• You exhale, urinate, or reuse the water (\(H_2O\)) produced from cellular respiration.