To identify the correct reactants and products of aerobic cellular respiration, we need to look at the overall chemical reaction that takes place during this process. Aerobic cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, water, and carbon dioxide. The general equation for this process is:
[tex]\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 6\text{H}_2\text{O} + 6\text{CO}_2 + \text{ATP} \][/tex]
This means that glucose ([tex]\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6\)[/tex]) and oxygen ([tex]\(\text{O}_2\)[/tex]) are the reactants, and water ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]), carbon dioxide ([tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex]), and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) are the products of the reaction.
Now, let's examine the given options to find the one that matches this description:
1. Carbon dioxide + ATP + water → glucose + oxygen
- This is incorrect. It represents the reverse of the cellular respiration process.
2. Glucose + oxygen → water + carbon dioxide + ATP
- This is the correct representation of aerobic cellular respiration. It matches the equation we discussed above.
3. Pyruvate + carbon dioxide → oxygen + water + ATP
- This is incorrect. Pyruvate is actually a product of glycolysis (a precursor step in respiration), not a reactant in the overall process.
4. NADH + pyruvate → carbon dioxide + alcohol + NAD[tex]${}^{+}$[/tex]
- This describes part of anaerobic respiration or fermentation, not aerobic respiration.
Therefore, the correct answer is the second option:
Glucose + oxygen → water + carbon dioxide + ATP
This corresponds to option 2 from the provided list, which correctly identifies the reactants and products of aerobic cellular respiration.
