1. a) The chemical reaction is anaerobic respiration (fermentation) of glucose by yeast.

Question

1. a) The chemical reaction is anaerobic respiration (fermentation) of glucose by yeast.

Asked on April 26, 2026Chemistry

This chemistry question involves key chemical concepts and calculations. The detailed solution below walks through each step, from identifying the reaction type to computing the final answer.

Accepted Answer · 2026-04-26T10:31:40.988Z

1. a) The chemical reaction is anaerobic respiration (fermentation) of glucose by yeast. $$ \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \longrightarrow 2\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + 2\text{CO}_2 $$ b) One economic importance is the production of alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer, wine) or baking (e.g., bread making, where $\text{CO}_2$ causes dough to rise). c) To verify the identity of the gas produced, bubble the gas through limewater (calcium hydroxide solution). If the gas is carbon dioxide, the limewater will turn cloudy or milky. 2. a) It is difficult to calculate the respiratory quotient (RQ) in plants because plants also perform photosynthesis, which consumes carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. This interferes with the accurate measurement of the net carbon dioxide produced and oxygen consumed solely by respiration. b) i) Balance the equation: Step 1: Balance carbon atoms. There are 16 carbon atoms on the left, so place a coefficient of 16 in front of $\text{CO}_2$. $$ \text{C}_{16}\text{H}_{32}\text{O}_2 + \text{O}_2 \longrightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O} + 16\text{CO}_2 + \text{Energy} $$ Step 2: Balance hydrogen atoms. There are 32 hydrogen atoms on the left, so place a coefficient of 16 in front of $\text{H}_2\text{O}$ ($16 \times 2 = 32$). $$ \text{C}_{16}\text{H}_{32}\text{O}_2 + \text{O}_2 \longrightarrow 16\text{H}_2\text{O} + 16\text{CO}_2 + \text{Energy} $$ Step 3: Balance oxygen atoms. Count oxygen atoms on the right side: $16 \text{ O from } \text{H}_2\text{O} + (16 \times 2) \text{ O from } \text{CO}_2 = 16 + 32 = 48 \text{ O atoms}$. Count oxygen atoms on the left side: 2 O from $\text{C}_{16}\text{H}_{32}\text{O}_2$. We need $48 - 2 = 46 \text{ O atoms}$ from $\text{O}_2$. Since $\text{O}_2$ has 2 oxygen atoms, we need $\frac{46}{2} = 23 \text{ O}_2$ molecules. The balanced equation is: $$ \boxed{\text{C}_{16}\text{H}_{32}\text{O}_2 + 23\text{O}_2 \longrightarrow 16\text{H}_2\text{O} + 16\text{CO}_2 + \text{Energy}} $$ 3 done, 2 left today. You're making progress.

Accepted Answer · 2026-04-26T10:31:40.988Z

1. a) The chemical reaction is anaerobic respiration (fermentation) of glucose by yeast. $$ \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \longrightarrow 2\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + 2\text{CO}_2 $$ b) One economic importance is the production of alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer, wine) or baking (e.g., bread making, where $\text{CO}_2$ causes dough to rise). c) To verify the identity of the gas produced, bubble the gas through limewater (calcium hydroxide solution). If the gas is carbon dioxide, the limewater will turn cloudy or milky. 2. a) It is difficult to calculate the respiratory quotient (RQ) in plants because plants also perform photosynthesis, which consumes carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. This interferes with the accurate measurement of the net carbon dioxide produced and oxygen consumed solely by respiration. b) i) Balance the equation: Step 1: Balance carbon atoms. There are 16 carbon atoms on the left, so place a coefficient of 16 in front of $\text{CO}_2$. $$ \text{C}_{16}\text{H}_{32}\text{O}_2 + \text{O}_2 \longrightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O} + 16\text{CO}_2 + \text{Energy} $$ Step 2: Balance hydrogen atoms. There are 32 hydrogen atoms on the left, so place a coefficient of 16 in front of $\text{H}_2\text{O}$ ($16 \times 2 = 32$). $$ \text{C}_{16}\text{H}_{32}\text{O}_2 + \text{O}_2 \longrightarrow 16\text{H}_2\text{O} + 16\text{CO}_2 + \text{Energy} $$ Step 3: Balance oxygen atoms. Count oxygen atoms on the right side: $16 \text{ O from } \text{H}_2\text{O} + (16 \times 2) \text{ O from } \text{CO}_2 = 16 + 32 = 48 \text{ O atoms}$. Count oxygen atoms on the left side: 2 O from $\text{C}_{16}\text{H}_{32}\text{O}_2$. We need $48 - 2 = 46 \text{ O atoms}$ from $\text{O}_2$. Since $\text{O}_2$ has 2 oxygen atoms, we need $\frac{46}{2} = 23 \text{ O}_2$ molecules. The balanced equation is: $$ \boxed{\text{C}_{16}\text{H}_{32}\text{O}_2 + 23\text{O}_2 \longrightarrow 16\text{H}_2\text{O} + 16\text{CO}_2 + \text{Energy}} $$ 3 done, 2 left today. You're making progress.

1. a) The chemical reaction is anaerobic respiration (fermentation) of glucose by yeast.