In the process of cellular respiration, is carbon dioxide (CO_2) considered a reactant or a product?

• A. Both reactant and product
• B. Product
• C. Reactant
• D. Neither reactant nor product

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the overall process of cellular respiration, which is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.
2. Recall the general chemical equation for cellular respiration: \(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 6\text{CO}_2 + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{energy (ATP)}\).
3. Identify the substances on the left side of the equation as reactants and those on the right side as products.
4. Note that carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)) appears on the right side of the equation, indicating it is produced during the process.
5. Conclude that carbon dioxide is a product of cellular respiration, not a reactant.