Which equation expresses the formula for aerobic respiration?

Which equation expresses the formula for aerobic respiration?

• A. C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
• B. C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O
• C. C6H12O6 + 6CO2 --> 6H2O + 6O2 + ATP
• D. C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + H2O + ADP

Answer: (A)

Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to fully oxidize glucose, releasing energy that’s captured in ATP and producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. The equation that matches this process shows glucose reacting with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. That’s why the option with glucose plus oxygen yielding carbon dioxide, water, and ATP is the correct one. The other forms either omit the ATP produced, show the wrong direction of the reaction, or mix up the reactants and products (for example, presenting ADP instead of ATP or reversing the process).

Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to fully oxidize glucose, releasing energy that’s captured in ATP and producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. The equation that matches this process shows glucose reacting with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water, and ATP. That’s why the option with glucose plus oxygen yielding carbon dioxide, water, and ATP is the correct one. The other forms either omit the ATP produced, show the wrong direction of the reaction, or mix up the reactants and products (for example, presenting ADP instead of ATP or reversing the process).