Aerobic Respiration

Play with the buttons to create a chemical reaction.  Then study the page and consider the question, What is the relationship between matter and energy in this reaction?

Glucose Log Gasoline Candle Hamburger + Oxygen  +  ATP lightning matches psychic energy stove spark plug

-------------> Burns Explodes Combusts    (yields)                                                                                                            

more ATP carbon monoxide other junk a pleasing aroma a stench pretty colors + carbon dioxide  + Heat More heat Lots of heat IIIEEEE! + water         

Included in the menus above is a formula for aerobic respiration (breathing oxygen).    Glucose is the "fuel" for this reaction.  As a glucose molecule is broken into smaller pieces,  energy is released.  Most life forms "burn" glucose,  and the energy is stored the form of ATP.  

C ₆H₁₂0₆  (glucose) + 6 O₂ (oxygen)  + 2 ATP ®

                                        6 CO₂ (carbon dioxide)+ 6 H₂O (water)+ 38 ATP

Now compare it to the combustion of octane in an engine :

2 C₈H₁₈  (octane) + 25 O₂ + (spark) ® 16 CO₂ + 18 H₂ O +  (motion) 

Both reactions require a fuel,  some oxygen for the fuel to react with, and a "spark" to get it going.  Both reactions produce carbon dioxide and water, and complex machinery is used to put the energy to work.    

How are these two reactions different from each other?  (Consider the size of the molecule broken down, the amount of heat produced, amount of oxygen consumed, other ideas?)

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