Question

What happens to all the carbon and oxygen atoms in glucose during aerobic respiration?

Answer 1

Carbon and oxygen atoms are rearranged to form carbon dioxide in aerobic respiration.

Explanation:

If you look at the formula for cellular respiration (aka aerobic respiration)

`C_6H_12O_6 + 6 O_2 -> 6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O`

We see there are 6 carbons and 6 oxygen in glucose. On the other side of the equation we see there is carbon dioxide and water.

The 6 carbon and oxygen from the glucose are slowly removed thought the process of glycolysis, oxidation of pyruvate acid, and Krebs cycle in the form of carbon dioxide.

Water is not made until the electron transport chain. Glucose does not enter the electron transport chain, so most likely none of the oxygen in the water is taken from the glucose.