Which of the following is a byproduct of cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is a metabolic process through which organisms convert food into energy, primarily in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process occurs in several stages, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. During these reactions, glucose is broken down, which leads to the production of energy along with several byproducts.

One of the key byproducts of cellular respiration is carbon dioxide. During the Krebs cycle, which takes place in the mitochondria, carbon compounds are oxidized, and as a result, carbon dioxide is released as a waste product. This molecule is then transported out of the cells and eventually exhaled through the respiratory system.

Oxygen, on the other hand, is essential for aerobic respiration and is consumed during the process rather than produced. Glucose is the primary fuel source that is metabolized during cellular respiration and also does not qualify as a byproduct. Water is produced as a byproduct during the oxidative phosphorylation stage of cellular respiration, but the question specifically asks for the byproduct associated with the complete breakdown of glucose. Thus, carbon dioxide is accurately identified as a significant byproduct of cellular respiration.