In the equation of cellular respiration, what are the products of the reaction?

In the process of cellular respiration, the overall equation can be summarized as:

[ \text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6 \text{ (glucose)} + \text{6O}_2 \text{ (oxygen)} \rightarrow \text{6CO}_2 \text{ (carbon dioxide)} + \text{6H}_2\text{O (water)} + \text{ATP} ]

The correct answer identifies carbon dioxide, water, and ATP as the products. During cellular respiration, glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen through a series of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

Glucose is initially converted into pyruvic acid in glycolysis, but the end products of the entire cellular respiration process are what is specified in the correct answer. Each glucose molecule ultimately yields multiple molecules of ATP, which serve as the energy currency for the cell, while carbon dioxide and water are released as byproducts.

The production of ATP is a key aspect of why cells perform respiration—they convert the chemical energy stored in glucose into a usable form of energy. Thus, the products of this crucial metabolic pathway highlight not only the waste