Question

In one or two sentences, explain how the chemical equation for cellular respiration shows that plants cycle matter.
Include the numbers of molecules and atoms involved to support your explanation.

Answer 1

The chemical equation for cellular respiration, which is C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy, demonstrates that plants cycle matter as it involves the conversion of 6 molecules of oxygen and 6 molecules of glucose into 6 molecules of carbon dioxide, 6 molecules of water, and energy, reinforcing the idea that atoms and molecules are constantly being recycled within the plant's metabolic processes.