What does respiration produce as a byproduct?

Respiration is a biochemical process in which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. Although the primary outcome of respiration is the production of energy, it also generates carbon dioxide as a byproduct, along with water, both of which are released into the environment.

The correct answer reflects the essential function of respiration in living organisms. Energy produced during respiration is crucial for cellular activities and fuels various metabolic processes. The other options, like oxygen, glucose, and carbon monoxide, do not accurately represent the byproduct of respiration. Oxygen is utilized in this process rather than produced, glucose is a substrate that is consumed rather than a byproduct, and carbon monoxide is typically not produced in significant amounts during typical respiration processes. Thus, focusing on the energy produced during cellular respiration captures the core objective of this metabolic pathway.