What can you infer about carbon dioxide from the fact that your body needs to breathe it out during cellular respiration?

• A. It is stored in cells for future energy needs.
• B. It is required as a reactant for glycolysis.
• C. It is a waste product produced during the breakdown of glucose.
• D. It is used to generate ATP in the mitochondria.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose into energy in the form of ATP. During this process, glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen.
2. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is produced as a byproduct during the breakdown of glucose in the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), which occurs in the mitochondria.
3. CO₂ is not stored in cells for future energy needs, nor is it required as a reactant for glycolysis. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and does not involve CO₂ production or utilization.
4. CO₂ is also not used to generate ATP directly. ATP is produced during cellular respiration through processes like oxidative phosphorylation, which uses oxygen, not CO₂.
5. The fact that your body needs to exhale CO₂ indicates that it is a waste product generated during the metabolic breakdown of glucose and must be removed to maintain homeostasis.