Which two reactants are required for the process of cellular respiration?

• A. Glucose and carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\))
• B. Glucose and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\))
• C. Carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\))
• D. Oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)) and nitrogen (\(\mathrm{N_2}\))

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the process of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process where cells convert glucose into energy (ATP) using oxygen. This process occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.
2. Step 2: Identify the reactants required for cellular respiration. The key reactants are glucose (a sugar molecule, \( ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6\)) and oxygen (\( ext{O}_2\)). These are essential for the chemical reactions that produce energy.
3. Step 3: Recall the overall chemical equation for cellular respiration: \( ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6 + 6 ext{O}_2 ightarrow 6 ext{CO}_2 + 6 ext{H}_2 ext{O} + ext{Energy (ATP)}\). This equation shows that glucose and oxygen are consumed, while carbon dioxide, water, and energy are produced.
4. Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options based on the chemical equation. For example, carbon dioxide (\( ext{CO}_2\)) and water (\( ext{H}_2 ext{O}\)) are products, not reactants. Similarly, nitrogen (\( ext{N}_2\)) is not involved in cellular respiration.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct reactants for cellular respiration are glucose and oxygen (\( ext{O}_2\)), as they are required to initiate the process and produce energy.