Both photosynthesis and cell respiration involve the use of enzyme catalysts, which direct the participating molecules through a series of chemical reactions. Both also rely on a transfer of electrons to power these chemical transformations. Reactions of this type are called oxidation-reduction reactions. Given the reactions below, sort them based on whether the central atom becomes reduced or oxidized. Items (4 items) (Drag and drop into the appropriate area below) Methane to methanol Formic acid to formaldehyde Formic acid to carbon dioxide

To determine whether the central atom becomes reduced or oxidized in each reaction, we need to identify the oxidation state of the central atom in the reactants and products. 1. Methane to methanol: - Methane (CH4) has an oxidation state of 0 for carbon. - Methanol (CH3OH) has an oxidation state of -2 for carbon. - Since the oxidation state of carbon decreases from 0 to -2, carbon becomes reduced. 2. Formic acid to formaldehyde: - Formic acid (HCOOH) has an oxidation state of +2 for carbon. - Formaldehyde (HCHO) has an oxidation state of +1 for carbon. - Since the oxidation state of carbon decreases from +2 to +1, carbon becomes reduced. 3. Formic acid to carbon dioxide: - Formic acid (HCOOH) has an oxidation state of +2 for carbon. - Carbon dioxide (CO2) has an oxidation state of +4 for carbon. - Since the oxidation state of carbon increases from +2 to +4, carbon becomes oxidized. Therefore, the reactions can be sorted as follows: - Reduced: Methane to methanol, Formic acid to formaldehyde - Oxidized: Formic acid to carbon dioxide