Which best describes the nature of cellular respiration?

• A. It is an anabolic process that synthesizes glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
• B. It is a process that stores energy in the form of glycogen.
• C. It is a catabolic process that converts glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.
• D. It is a light-dependent process that occurs only in chloroplasts.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the nature of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that occurs in cells to generate energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It involves breaking down glucose molecules in the presence of oxygen, making it a catabolic process.
2. Step 2: Differentiate between anabolic and catabolic processes. Anabolic processes build larger molecules from smaller ones (e.g., photosynthesis), while catabolic processes break down larger molecules into smaller ones to release energy (e.g., cellular respiration).
3. Step 3: Identify the key inputs and outputs of cellular respiration. The inputs are glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂), and the outputs are ATP, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and water (H₂O). This process occurs in the mitochondria of cells.
4. Step 4: Clarify why cellular respiration is not light-dependent. Cellular respiration occurs in all eukaryotic cells, including animal cells, and does not require light. It is distinct from photosynthesis, which is light-dependent and occurs in chloroplasts.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct description of cellular respiration is: 'It is a catabolic process that converts glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.' This aligns with the chemical equation: $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6O_2\to 6{\mathrm{CO}}_2+6H_{2}O+\mathrm{ATP}$.