What is the primary waste product of cellular respiration?

The primary waste product of cellular respiration is carbon dioxide. During the process of cellular respiration, cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, specifically in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This process occurs in several stages, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

As glucose is metabolized for energy, it is broken down, and oxygen is used to help complete this process. The end products of cellular respiration include ATP, water, and carbon dioxide. While water is produced as a byproduct, it is not considered a waste product in the same context as carbon dioxide, which must be expelled from the body. Carbon dioxide is released as a byproduct of the Krebs cycle and is ultimately transported to the lungs to be exhaled. Thus, it is accurate to identify carbon dioxide as the primary waste product of cellular respiration.