Questions: Cellular respiration can be used to break down carbohydrates other than glucose. If a cell completely broke down maltese (C22H22O31), how many CO2 molecules would be yielded?

To determine how many \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) molecules are yielded from the complete breakdown of maltose (\(\mathrm{C}_{12} \mathrm{H}_{22} \mathrm{O}_{11}\)), we need to consider the process of cellular respiration, which involves the complete oxidation of carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and water.

1. Molecular Formula of Maltose: The molecular formula given in the question seems incorrect for maltose. The correct molecular formula for maltose is \(\mathrm{C}_{12} \mathrm{H}_{22} \mathrm{O}_{11}\).

2. Complete Oxidation: In cellular respiration, each carbon atom in the carbohydrate is converted into a \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) molecule. Therefore, the number of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) molecules produced is equal to the number of carbon atoms in the carbohydrate.

3. Calculation: Maltose has 12 carbon atoms (\(\mathrm{C}_{12}\)). Therefore, the complete breakdown of one molecule of maltose will yield 12 \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) molecules.

The answer is 12.

Explanation of Options:

• 2: Incorrect. This would imply only 2 carbon atoms are present, which is not the case for maltose.
• 3: Incorrect. This would imply only 3 carbon atoms are present, which is not the case for maltose.
• 6: Incorrect. This would imply only 6 carbon atoms are present, which is not the case for maltose.
• 12: Correct. Maltose has 12 carbon atoms, so it yields 12 \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) molecules.
• 24: Incorrect. This would imply 24 carbon atoms, which is not the case for maltose.

In summary, the complete breakdown of maltose yields 12 \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) molecules.