Question

Cellular respiration uses glucose and oxygen, which have high levels of free energy, and releases CO2 and water, which have low levels of free energy. Is cellular respiration spontaneous or not? Is it exergonic or endergonic? What happens to the energy released from glucose?

Answer 1

Cellular respiration is spontaneous

Cellular respiration is exergonic

Cellular respiration releases energy that is used to power the organism's life functions

Step-by-step explanation:

All living organisms require energy for their day-to-day activities. This energy is obtained when the organism breaks down the food they ingest. This process is called CELLULAR RESPIRATION, a process whereby organisms combine glucose (organic food) and oxygen to produce energy, releasing CO2 and water as products.

According to thermodynamics, Free energy denoted by (G) is the energy available to perform activities and it is released during a spontaneous reaction i.e. from a high free energy state to a low one. Hence, cellular respiration is a spontaneous reaction because it releases free energy, making the change in G negative (-).

Also, cellular respiration is said to be an exothermic reaction because it releases energy as heat as opposed to endothermic reactions, which make use of energy e.g photosynthesis.

The energy released during the process of respiration is used to power the organism's cellular functions e.g movement etc.