Synthesize Information In a multistep process, cells can combine the reactants glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) to form the products carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Some cells can also perform the reverse of this process. Must one, both, or neither of the processes release energy? Explain.

Question

Chemistry

Chase Church

25 January, 13:43

Synthesize Information In a multistep process, cells can combine the reactants glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) to form the products carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Some cells can also perform the reverse of this process. Must one, both, or neither of the processes release energy? Explain.

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Mccall · Answer 1

In one of the process, energy is built up from scratch, in the other one, energy is liberated for use by an organism or body.

The first process deals with a metabolic reaction in which energy is liberated:

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy

In the above process, energy is liberated when glucose combines with oxygen. The waste products are carbon dioxide and water. This process liberates heat energy which can be used to do work.

In the reverse process:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

This process stores energy in carbon chains as chemical energy. It is this energy that is released in the first process.

Therefore, we can see that the first process liberates energy and the reverse process stores energy.