10.7k views
4 votes
How many molecules of water are recycled when one molecule of glucose is created during photosynthesis?

1) 6
2) 3
3) 1
4) 12

User Eric Guo
by
7.6k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

During cellular respiration, each molecule of glucose synthesized during photosynthesis is metabolized, recycling six molecules of water in the process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process of photosynthesis involves the transformation of sunlight into chemical energy, and part of that process includes the synthesis of one molecule of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) from six molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and six molecules of water (H₂O). Given the photosynthesis equation, 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, we can see that six molecules of water are consumed and six molecules of oxygen are produced, yet the question relates to water recycling, which is part of the cellular respiration process.

Referring to the information provided, statement (a) indicates that one molecule of glucose reacts with six molecules of oxygen (6O₂) to yield six molecules of carbon dioxide (6CO₂) and six molecules of water (6H₂O) during cellular respiration. Therefore, for each glucose molecule created during photosynthesis, when it is later metabolized during cellular respiration, six molecules of water are indeed recycled. Hence, the correct answer to the question, 'How many molecules of water are recycled when one molecule of glucose is created during photosynthesis?' is 6.

User Herrbischoff
by
8.4k points