Which statement best describes cellular respiration?

• A. It is the process by which cells absorb sunlight to produce ATP and oxygen.
• B. It is the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.
• C. It is the process by which cells synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
• D. It is the breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen to produce lactic acid.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that occurs in cells to convert biochemical energy from nutrients, primarily glucose, into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency of the cell.
2. Step 2: Recognize the key inputs and outputs of cellular respiration. The process requires oxygen (O₂) and glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) as inputs, and it produces ATP, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and water (H₂O) as outputs.
3. Step 3: Compare the given statements to the definition of cellular respiration. Eliminate options that do not align with the process. For example, the statement about absorbing sunlight refers to photosynthesis, not cellular respiration.
4. Step 4: Identify the correct statement that matches the description of cellular respiration. The correct statement should describe the conversion of glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.
5. Step 5: Confirm your understanding by recalling that cellular respiration occurs in three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation, which collectively produce ATP efficiently in the presence of oxygen.