Question

Mr. Swerdlow wrote a chemical equation on the board and asked his class what should be changed to make it correct. He wrote:

Answer 1

Answer is: 3. Water and carbon dioxide should both be moved to the products side, and glucose and oxygen should be moved to the reactants side.

Balanced chemical reaction for cellular respiration (convert biochemical energy):

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy, or:

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy.

This reaction is exothermic (energy is released).

Answer 2

Water should by moved to the products side, and glucose and oxygen should both be moved to the reactants side.