Which of the following is a reactant in the overall cellular respiration reaction?

• A. Carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\))
• B. ATP
• C. Glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\))
• D. Water (\(H_2O\))

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by recalling the overall chemical equation for cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) and oxygen (\(O_2\)) into energy in the form of ATP, along with byproducts carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) and water (\(H_2O\)). The general equation is: $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6O_2\to 6{\mathrm{CO}}_2+6H_{2}O+\mathrm{ATP}$.
2. Step 2: Identify the reactants in the equation. Reactants are the substances that are consumed during the reaction. In cellular respiration, the reactants are glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) and oxygen (\(O_2\)).
3. Step 3: Examine the options provided in the problem. The options are carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)), ATP, glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)), and water (\(H_2O\)).
4. Step 4: Compare each option to the reactants in the cellular respiration equation. Carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) and water (\(H_2O\)) are products, not reactants. ATP is the energy output of the reaction, not a reactant. Glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) is one of the reactants.
5. Step 5: Conclude that glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) is the correct answer because it is a reactant in the overall cellular respiration reaction.