Which of the following are reactants in the process of aerobic 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. Oxygen and ATP (\(\mathrm{O_2}\) and ATP)
• D. Glucose and carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\) and \(\mathrm{CO_2}\))

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the process of aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration is a biological process in which cells convert glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)) into energy in the form of ATP, along with byproducts such as carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)).
2. Step 2: Identify the reactants and products in aerobic respiration. Reactants are the substances that are consumed during the reaction, while products are the substances that are formed. In aerobic respiration, glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)) are the reactants, and carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)), water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)), and ATP are the products.
3. Step 3: Analyze the options provided in the question. The correct reactants should match glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)).
4. Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options. For example, carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)) are products, not reactants. Similarly, oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)) and ATP are not both reactants, as ATP is a product. Glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) are also incorrect because carbon dioxide is a product.
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 reactants in the process of aerobic respiration.