Which statement best explains how aerobic respiration functions to cycle matter and energy within a cell?
a
Respiration uses sunlight energy to create glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
b
Respiration produces glucose from carbon dioxide and releases energy in the form of free electrons.
c
Respiration breaks down glucose and releases energy in the form of ATP.
d
Respiration converts glucose to alcohol using free electrons as energy.
c
Respiration breaks down glucose and releases energy in the form of ATP.
The correct answer is c. Respiration breaks down glucose and releases energy in the form of ATP.
The correct statement that best explains how aerobic respiration functions to cycle matter and energy within a cell is option c: Respiration breaks down glucose and releases energy in the form of ATP.
To understand why this is the correct answer, let's break down the process of aerobic respiration.
Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process that occurs in the presence of oxygen and is used by cells to convert glucose into usable energy. It can be summarized by the following chemical equation:
C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2 (oxygen) → 6CO2 (carbon dioxide) + 6H2O (water) + Energy (in the form of ATP)
During aerobic respiration, glucose is broken down in a series of enzymatic reactions, such as glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), and the electron transport chain. As a result, glucose is completely oxidized, producing carbon dioxide and water as waste products. Along the way, energy is released and captured in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy molecule used by cells.
Therefore, option c accurately describes how aerobic respiration functions by breaking down glucose and releasing energy in the form of ATP.