What is the end product of aerobic respiration?

The end product of aerobic respiration is carbon dioxide and water, which is indicative of the complete oxidation of glucose (or other organic molecules) in the presence of oxygen. In aerobic respiration, glucose undergoes a series of metabolic reactions starting with glycolysis, followed by the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and then the electron transport chain.

During glycolysis, glucose is partially oxidized, resulting in the production of ATP and pyruvate. The pyruvate then enters the mitochondria, where it is further oxidized in the citric acid cycle. This cycle produces more ATP, as well as reducing equivalents in the form of NADH and FADH2. These electron carriers then transfer their electrons through the electron transport chain, leading to the generation of a significant amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

As glucose is fully oxidized, the byproducts of this entire process are carbon dioxide and water. The carbon dioxide is expelled from the cell and ultimately leaves the body when we exhale, while water produced can participate in various cellular metabolic processes or be excreted. In contrast, the other options represent byproducts of anaerobic processes: alcohol is produced during fermentation in the absence of oxygen, while lactic acid is produced