OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

The product of cell respiration that is considered a waste product is:

1. Water

2. ATP

3. Carbon dioxide

4. Heat

The correct answer is: Carbon dioxide

The product generated during cellular respiration that is considered a waste product is carbon dioxide. During the process of aerobic respiration, glucose is metabolized to produce energy. This process includes the breakdown of glucose through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. While ATP is produced as the main energy currency, carbon dioxide is released as a byproduct when glucose is oxidized. Water is also produced during cellular respiration, but it is not typically classified as a waste product; rather, it can be utilized by the cell. Heat is a byproduct of energy metabolism, but it is not a chemical waste product like carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon dioxide is the most accurate answer here, as it must be expelled from the body to maintain proper physiological balance and prevent toxicity.