Question

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. write this like a 6th grader in one or two sentences

Answer 1

The chemical equation for cellular respiration is C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O. This means that one sugar molecule (glucose) and six oxygen molecules are used to make six carbon dioxide molecules and six water molecules. This shows that plants cycle matter because they take in carbon dioxide and water to make glucose during photosynthesis, and then they use that glucose and oxygen to create energy, returning carbon dioxide and water to the environment!