Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

What is the waste product of the respiration process in plants?

1. Oxygen and glucose

2. Water and glucose

3. Carbon dioxide and water

4. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide

The correct answer is: Carbon dioxide and water

The waste products of the respiration process in plants are indeed carbon dioxide and water. During cellular respiration, plants convert glucose, which they produce during photosynthesis, into energy. This process occurs in the mitochondria of cells and involves breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen. The chemical reactions yield carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. While photosynthesis produces oxygen as a byproduct, respiration consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. It is important to understand that respiration is the process by which living organisms, including plants, obtain energy from glucose. The carbon dioxide produced in respiration is then used by plants in photosynthesis, creating a vital balance within ecosystems. Glucose and water are not waste products; rather, glucose is a primary energy source for metabolic processes, while water is often utilized in various plant functions. Nitrogen is not produced in significant quantities during respiration, making choices with nitrogen incorrect. Therefore, carbon dioxide and water are correctly identified as the waste products of plant respiration.