The average adult exhales about 1.0 kg of carbon dioxide each day. How much glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆, 180 g/mol) is consumed to make that much carbon dioxide?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

One molecule of glucose produces 6 molecules of carbon dioxide during cellular respiration. Therefore, to produce 1 kg (1000 g) of carbon dioxide, 166.7 g (1000/6) of glucose would be consumed. To produce 1.0 kg of carbon dioxide, 166.7 g of glucose would be consumed, which is equal to 0.1667 kg. Therefore, to exhale 1.0 kg of carbon dioxide each day, about 0.1667 kg of glucose would be consumed.

The Average Adult Exhales About 1