Scientists used radioactive hydrogen to make water. They grew plants using the radioactive water. What happened to the radioactive hydrogen during cellular respiration?(1 point)

Question

Responses

It was recycled into hydrogen gas.
It was recycled into hydrogen gas. - no response given

It was recycled into water.
It was recycled into water. - no response given

It was recycled into glucose.
It was recycled into glucose. - incorrect

It was recycled into protein.

Answer 1

During cellular respiration, the radioactive hydrogen that was incorporated into water (H2O) would ultimately be used in various biochemical processes. However, in the context of cellular respiration, hydrogen atoms from water are primarily involved in the electron transport chain and are used to help produce ATP.

The most accurate response from the options provided would be:

It was recycled into water.

This is because, during cellular respiration, water is produced as a byproduct when hydrogen atoms combine with oxygen in the final steps of the electron transport chain. However, the original radioactive hydrogen itself is not "recycled" in the sense of being returned directly as free hydrogen gas, glucose, or protein in a straightforward manner. The radioactive hydrogen is incorporated into biological molecules throughout various metabolic processes.