Final answer:
Energy and matter are considered during the process of cellular respiration through c) By the conversion of nutrients into energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cellular respiration is a complex biochemical process that involves the breakdown of organic molecules, typically glucose, to release energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The conversion of nutrients, such as glucose, into energy-rich molecules occurs through a series of chemical reactions within the cell.
During cellular respiration, glucose is oxidized, and carbon atoms are released as carbon dioxide (b), while the energy released is captured in the form of ATP. Therefore, option c accurately describes how both energy and matter are considered during cellular respiration.
Options a and d are not directly related to the consideration of energy and matter in cellular respiration. The release of oxygen (a) is associated with the process of photosynthesis rather than cellular respiration, and the breakdown of DNA (d) is not a part of the energy-producing reactions involved in cellular respiration.
In summary,c) the conversion of nutrients into energy is a key aspect of cellular respiration, and it demonstrates the simultaneous consideration of both energy and matter during this fundamental metabolic process. The chemical reactions involved in cellular respiration illustrate the interconnectedness of energy transformation and the cycling of matter within living cells.