Question
What do food molecules react with during cellular respiration?
Responses
carbon dioxide
carbon dioxide
oxygen
oxygen
other food molecules
other food molecules
glucose
glucose
Answer
During cellular respiration, food molecules, specifically glucose, react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). So the correct answer is "oxygen."
Explanation
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down food molecules to release energy. It occurs in the mitochondria of cells and involves several biochemical reactions. One of the primary reactants in cellular respiration is glucose, which is a common source of energy for cells. Glucose is a carbohydrate that comes from the food we consume.
Glucose molecules are broken down in a series of steps, starting in the cytoplasm and continuing in the mitochondria. During the process, glucose is combined with oxygen through a series of reactions known as the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain. This results in the production of ATP, which is the energy currency of cells, along with carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.
So, during cellular respiration, food molecules, such as glucose, react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. It's important to note that other food molecules can also be used as energy sources during cellular respiration, but glucose is the most commonly utilized molecule.