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How many o₂ molecules required for 2 glucose molecules cellular respiration

User Lidya
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Final answer:

For two molecules of glucose undergoing aerobic cellular respiration, 12 molecules of oxygen are required to produce ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question 'how many O₂ molecules are required for 2 glucose molecules cellular respiration?' relates to the stoichiometry of the cellular respiration process in biology. According to the overall chemical reaction for aerobic cellular respiration, one molecule of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) combines with six molecules of oxygen (O₂) to yield six molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and six molecules of water (H₂O). Therefore, for two molecules of glucose, the amount of oxygen required would be doubled.

For each molecule of glucose:

  • 1 C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O

For two molecules of glucose:

  • 2 C₆H₁₂O₆ + 12 O₂ → 12 CO₂ + 12 H₂O

Thus, for two molecules of glucose, 12 molecules of oxygen are required to complete the respiration process.