Sugars can be digested aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (e.g., by yeas

Question

Sugars can be digested aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (e.g., by yeast). During aerobic digestion, sugars react with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water. During anaerobic digestion, sugars can be decomposed by enzymes to create carbon dioxide and alcohols.

(a) Write the balanced chemical equation for aerobic digestion of glucose. C6H12O6(s). Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents in this reaction.

(b) Evaluate the number of moles of electrons transferred for the aerobic reaction in (a) for one mole of glucose at 25C.

(c) Write the balanced chemical equation for anaerobic digestion of glucose. Assume that ethanol, C2H5OH(l), is the only alcohol product for anaerobic digestion. Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents in this reaction.

(d) Evaluate the number of moles of electrons transferred for the anaerobic reaction in (c) for one mole of glucose at 25C.

Explanation / Answer

Aerobics digestion

Glucose + 2 ADP + 2 NAD+ + 2 Pi ——> 2 Piruvate + 2 ATP + 2 NADH + 2 H+

The oxidizing agent is NAD+ (which is reduced) and the reducing agent is Pi

A anaerobic digestion of glucose

Glucose+2Pi+2ADP -> 2 CH3CH2OH + 2CO2 + 2ATP+25.5kcal.... The oxidizing agent is ADP and the reducing agent is Pi

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