Write balanced chemical equations to describe the following metabolic processes: (a) starch \(\rightarrow\) glucose; (b) glucose \(\rightarrow\) carbon dioxide; ( c ) ATP \(\rightarrow\) ADP.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The balanced reactions are: (a) \(n\ C_{6}H_{10}O_{5} + n\ H_{2}O \rightarrow n\ C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}\), (b) \(C_{6}H_{12}O_{6} + 6 O_{2} \rightarrow 6 CO_{2} + 6 H_{2}O\), and (c) \(ATP + H_{2}O \rightarrow ADP + P_{i}\).

Step by step solution

01

Starch to Glucose process

Starch, a polymeric carbohydrate, is converted to glucose through the process of hydrolysis. The equation is as follows: \[n\ C_{6}H_{10}O_{5} + n\ H_{2}O \rightarrow n\ C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}\] In this balanced equation, \(n\) represents the number of glucose monomers in the starch molecule.
02

Glucose to Carbon dioxide process

Glucose is converted into carbon dioxide and water during cellular respiration. The balanced chemical equation for this process is: \[C_{6}H_{12}O_{6} + 6 O_{2} \rightarrow 6 CO_{2} + 6 H_{2}O\] This process also releases energy, which is not represented in this equation.
03

ATP to ADP process

In cells, energy is often stored in molecules of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). When a cell needs to use this energy, it converts ATP into ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate. The balanced chemical equation for this process is: \[ATP + H_{2}O \rightarrow ADP + P_{i}\] where \(P_{i}\) represents the inorganic phosphate.

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