Which of the following lists the main products of cellular respiration in eukaryotic cells?

• A. Oxygen, glucose, and ATP
• B. Lactic acid, oxygen, and ATP
• C. Carbon dioxide, water, and ATP
• D. Glucose, water, and NADH

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the process of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into usable energy (ATP) in the presence of oxygen. It occurs in three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation.
2. Step 2: Identify the inputs and outputs of cellular respiration. The main inputs are glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂), while the main outputs are carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
3. Step 3: Recall the role of each stage in cellular respiration. Glycolysis breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH. The citric acid cycle generates CO₂, NADH, and FADH₂. Oxidative phosphorylation uses oxygen to produce water and a large amount of ATP.
4. Step 4: Compare the given options to the known outputs of cellular respiration. The correct answer should include carbon dioxide, water, and ATP, as these are the main products of the process.
5. Step 5: Eliminate incorrect options based on your understanding. For example, oxygen and glucose are inputs, not products. Lactic acid is produced during anaerobic respiration, not aerobic respiration. NADH is an intermediate molecule, not a final product.