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, the best choice would be:

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

This option illustrates the process of cellular respiration, where glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide and water. It emphasizes the rearrangement of matter (the atoms in glucose and oxygen are rearranged to form carbon dioxide and water) while also highlighting the conservation of mass (the total mass before and after the reaction remains constant) and the release of energy (as a byproduct of the reaction).

The other options do not accurately represent both the conservation of matter and the energy dynamics involved in cellular respiration.