Question

Please explain in detail why it is possible to estimate, to a good approximation, the energy derived from a sugar cube in the body, by doing laboratory experiments. Obviously the mechanisms are completely different and your answer should address this issue.

Answer 1

The reactions that are carried out on sugar within are body are very similar to the reaction of combustion. The reactants used and the product formed are the same in the aerobic respiration reaction. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the energy released by the sugar in the body by finding out the energy released when the sugar is burned. Despite the products arising from different pathways with different mechanisms, the reactants and products being the same means that the energy released will be similar.