During cellular respiration, energy is released. What would a model need to show to accurately demonstrate that matter is rearranged, and energy is conserved in the process?

Question

a. Visuals showing that more energy is produced than consumed when water and carbon dioxide
are combined to highlight the conservation of matter.

b. Oxygen molecules combining with carbon atoms to create new substances without changing the mass.

c. Glucose and oxygen breaking into carbon dioxide and water, showing that the mass remains the same and energy is released.

d. Energy being created as glucose is consumed and oxygen is used.

Answer 1

To accurately demonstrate that matter is rearranged and energy is conserved during cellular respiration, option c is the most appropriate choice:

c. Glucose and oxygen breaking into carbon dioxide and water, showing that the mass remains the same and energy is released.

This model effectively illustrates that the reactants (glucose and oxygen) are transformed into new products (carbon dioxide and water), which highlights the rearrangement of matter. Additionally, it emphasizes that the total mass before and after the reaction remains constant, which is a key principle of the conservation of matter. The release of energy during this process supports the idea that energy is conserved, as it indicates that the energy previously stored in the glucose molecule is being released during the reaction.