Question

PLEASE HELP ME I WILL GIVE YOU 99 POINTS Which of the following statements best proves that the law of conservation of mass is obeyed during cellular respiration? The starting total number of carbon atoms in glucose is equal to the ending total number of carbon atoms in water. The starting total number of carbon atoms in glucose is equal to the ending total number of carbon atoms in carbon dioxide. The starting total number of oxygen atoms in glucose is equal to the ending total number of oxygen atoms in carbon dioxide. The starting total number of oxygen atoms in glucose and oxygen gas is equal to the ending total number of oxygen atoms in water.

Answer 1

The answer is ‘The starting total number of carbon atoms in glucose is equal to the ending total number of carbon atoms in carbon dioxide’. During respiration, plants burn glucose and repair out carbon dioxide just like animals. According to the first law of thermodynamics, energy cannot be created or destroyed. The atoms are therefore only rearranged but not created or destroyed

Answer 2

Correct Answer: Option B) The starting total number of carbon atoms in glucose is equal to the ending total number of carbon atoms in carbon dioxide

Reason:
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells obtain energy from Glucose. It is represented by following equation:

C6H12O6  + 6O2       →       6CO2   +      6H2O

From, the above balanced reaction it can be seen that, number of atoms on reactant side is equal to number of atoms on product side. Thus, no atoms are produced are destroyed during the reaction. They are just rearranged. This is in accordance with Law of Conservation of Mass