Let's analyze the given reaction step-by-step to determine which molecule the letter 'B' represents.
The chemical reaction presented is:
[tex]\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \, A \rightarrow 6 \, B + 6 \, \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{energy} \][/tex]
This reaction describes the breakdown of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) during cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process where glucose is broken down with the help of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy.
Let's write down the balanced equation for cellular respiration:
[tex]\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \, \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 6 \, \text{CO}_2 + 6 \, \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{energy} \][/tex]
From this equation:
1. The molecule represented by [tex]\( A \)[/tex] is oxygen (O₂), since six molecules of oxygen are required to react with one molecule of glucose.
2. The molecule represented by [tex]\( B \)[/tex] is carbon dioxide (CO₂), as six molecules of carbon dioxide are produced during the reaction.
Therefore, the molecule represented by the letter 'B' in the reaction is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{\text{CO}_2} \][/tex]
