Which of the following are reactants for cellular respiration?

• A. Glucose and oxygen (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\) and \(\mathrm{O_2}\))
• B. Carbon dioxide and water (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\) and \(\mathrm{H_2O}\))
• C. Glucose and carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\) and \(\mathrm{CO_2}\))
• D. Oxygen and water (\(\mathrm{O_2}\) and \(\mathrm{H_2O}\))

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the process of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)) into energy in the form of ATP, with carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)) as byproducts.
2. Step 2: Recall the general chemical equation for cellular respiration: \(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6} + 6\mathrm{O_2} \rightarrow 6\mathrm{CO_2} + 6\mathrm{H_2O} + \text{Energy (ATP)}\). This equation shows the reactants and products involved in the process.
3. Step 3: Identify the reactants in the equation. Reactants are the substances that are consumed during the reaction. In this case, glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)) are the reactants.
4. Step 4: Eliminate the incorrect options by comparing them to the chemical equation. Carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)) are products, not reactants. Similarly, glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) do not pair as reactants, and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)) are not both reactants either.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)), as these are the substances required to initiate cellular respiration.