In the cellular respiration reaction, what roles do water and carbon dioxide play?

• A. Water is a product and carbon dioxide is a reactant.
• B. Both water and carbon dioxide are reactants.
• C. Both water and carbon dioxide are products.
• D. Water is a reactant and carbon dioxide is a product.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the overall process of cellular respiration, which is a series of metabolic reactions that convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP, and release waste products.
2. Identify the main stages of cellular respiration: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation. Each stage has specific inputs and outputs.
3. In the final stage, oxidative phosphorylation, oxygen is used to produce ATP, and water is formed as a byproduct. This indicates that water is a product of cellular respiration.
4. During the citric acid cycle, carbon dioxide is released as a waste product when carbon atoms are removed from organic molecules. This indicates that carbon dioxide is a product of cellular respiration.
5. Conclude that in the cellular respiration reaction, both water and carbon dioxide are products, as they are formed during the process and released as waste.