explain how the chemical equation for cellular respiration shows that plants cycle matter. Include the number of molecules and atom involved to support your explanation.
The chemical equation for cellular respiration in plants is as follows:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
This equation shows how plants cycle matter through the process of cellular respiration. Let's break it down:
1. Glucose (C6H12O6): This is the organic molecule derived from photosynthesis, where plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose. Glucose serves as the fuel for cellular respiration.
2. Oxygen (O2): This molecule is taken in by plants through the process of respiration. During cellular respiration, oxygen is used in the breakdown of glucose, releasing energy.
3. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): During cellular respiration, glucose is oxidized, and carbon dioxide is released as a waste product. The plants release this carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
4. Water (H2O): Similar to carbon dioxide, water molecules are released as waste products during cellular respiration. Plants obtain water from the environment and utilize it in various metabolic processes, including cellular respiration.
Additionally, we can observe the conservation of atoms in this equation:
- On the left side of the equation, one molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) consists of 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms.
- On the right side of the equation, the products are 6 carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules, which contain a total of 6 carbon atoms and 12 oxygen atoms, and 6 water (H2O) molecules, which possess a total of 12 hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms.
- Therefore, the number of atoms on both sides of the equation is balanced, demonstrating that matter is being cycled within the system.
Overall, the chemical equation for cellular respiration in plants clearly exhibits the cycling of matter, as glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water undergo transformations and exchanges, while the conservation of atoms supports this cyclic nature of matter in plants.