Question

Compare breaking down glucose in a cell to setting it on fire with a match. What is the source of activation energy in each case?

Short answer

In breaking down glucose in a cell, the source of activation energy comes from enzymes, which lower the energy needed for the reaction and help generate ATP. In contrast, when setting glucose on fire with a match, the source of activation energy is the heat from the flame, resulting in rapid, unregulated combustion of glucose, producing carbon dioxide, water, and heat.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the processes involved

First, we need to understand the basic process involved in breaking down glucose in a cell and setting it on fire. - Breaking down glucose in a cell: This process happens through cellular respiration, in which glucose is oxidized to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the cell's main source of energy. In cells, this process is facilitated by specific enzymes and takes place in the mitochondria. - Setting glucose on fire: This process refers to the combustion of glucose by exposing it to an open flame. In this case, glucose is burned rapidly in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and large amounts of heat.

Identify the source of activation energy in breaking down glucose in a cell

The source of activation energy in breaking down glucose in a cell comes from the enzymes present in the cell. Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts and help to lower the activation energy needed for a reaction to occur. In the case of breaking down glucose, enzymes like hexokinase transfer a phosphate group from ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to glucose. This reaction 'activates' the glucose and makes it more chemically reactive, allowing it to be further processed in the cellular respiration pathway to generate ATP.

Identify the source of activation energy in setting glucose on fire with a match

When glucose is set on fire with a match, the source of the activation energy comes from the flame of the match. The heat energy provided by the flame is enough to cause glucose to combust in the presence of oxygen. This process, unlike cellular respiration, is not regulated by enzymes, and the energy transfer is much more rapid.

Comparing the sources of activation energy

In conclusion, the sources of activation energy for breaking down glucose in a cell and setting it on fire with a match are different in each case: - Breaking down glucose in a cell: The source of activation energy comes from enzymes. This process is regulated and occurs in the mitochondria, generating ATP as the main source of energy for the cell. - Setting glucose on fire with a match: The source of activation energy comes from the flame of the match. This process involves a rapid and unregulated combustion of glucose in the presence of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide, water, and heat.