Suppose cellular respiration occurs inside an insulated sealed container. How does the containers weight change during the reaction?
Fluctuates
Increases
Stays the same
Decrease
The container's weight would decrease during the reaction. This is because cellular respiration involves the conversion of glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and energy. The products of the reaction, including carbon dioxide and water, would be released as gas, causing the overall weight of the container to decrease.
During cellular respiration, the process involves the consumption of oxygen and the production of carbon dioxide and water. In an insulated sealed container, where cellular respiration occurs, the container's weight would generally decrease over time.
This decrease in weight is mainly caused by the conversion of oxygen molecules into carbon dioxide and water as a byproduct of cellular respiration. The molecules that make up the reactants and products have different masses, resulting in a net loss of mass within the container.
Therefore, the correct answer is: Decrease.
To determine how the weight of the sealed container changes during cellular respiration, we need to understand the process and its components. Cellular respiration involves the breakdown of glucose and the release of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The reactants required for cellular respiration are oxygen and glucose, while the products are carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.
During cellular respiration, oxygen from the air surrounding the container is consumed, and carbon dioxide is produced. The weight of the container itself generally remains constant during the reaction because the container is insulated and sealed, preventing the entry or escape of matter.
Although the weight of the container remains the same, if we were to include the overall system (container + contents) in our consideration, there would be a net decrease in weight due to the release of carbon dioxide gas. As carbon dioxide is a gas and exits the container, it no longer contributes to the overall weight of the system.
Therefore, to directly answer the question, the weight of the sealed container would ultimately decrease during cellular respiration.