Which of the following are waste products produced during cellular respiration?

• A. NADH and FADH\(_2\)
• B. Glucose and oxygen
• C. Carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\))
• D. ATP and pyruvate

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 and oxygen into energy (ATP), with waste products being released as a result of the chemical reactions.
2. Step 2: Recall the main stages of cellular respiration: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation. Waste products are generated primarily during the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
3. Step 3: During the citric acid cycle, carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) is produced as a byproduct when carbon atoms are removed from intermediate molecules. This occurs through decarboxylation reactions.
4. Step 4: In oxidative phosphorylation, water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)) is formed as a waste product when oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, combining with electrons and protons.
5. Step 5: Eliminate the incorrect options by analyzing their roles in cellular respiration. NADH and FADH\(_2\) are electron carriers, glucose and oxygen are reactants, ATP is the energy product, and pyruvate is an intermediate. The correct waste products are carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)).