Question

Make an inference about what happens to the matter and energy during the formation and breakdown of a complex carbohydrate molecules? When is energy stored or released?

Answer 1

The formation or construction of (larger) molecules from smaller chemical units is known as anabolism. Anabolic reactions are energy consuming or endogernic reactions and are the aspect of metabolism that involve building or constructing. For example in photosynthesis reaction, plant combine smaller molecules of carbon dioxide and water, with the absorption of energy from the Sun's to form sugar, as follows;

6CO₂ (g) + 6H₂O (l)
`\overset{Energy \ from \ the \ Sun}{\rightarrow}` C₆H₁₂O₆ (s) + 6O₂ (g)

In the (reverse) process of catabolism, energy is obtained (released) from the breakdown of larger and more complex carbohydrate molecule, which may be through aerobic (involving oxygen) with the release of energy (in the form of ATP)

The cathabolic decomposition of one gram of carbohydrate can yield 4 kcal of energy

C₆H₁₂O₆ → 6CO₂ (g) + 6H₂O (l) + energy

Therefore;

Energy is consumed during building up or formation of larger carbohydrate molecules from smaller ones and

Energy is released when such large carbohydrate molecules are decomposed (broken down) into smaller molecular units

Step-by-step explanation: