Cellular waste product

Cellular waste products are formed as a by product of cellular respiration, a series of processes and reactions that generate energy for the cell, in the form of ATP. Two examples of cellular respiration creating cellular waste products are aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.

Aerobic respiration

Main article: Aerobic respiration

When in the presence of oxygen, cells use aerobic respiration to obtain energy from glucose molecules.

Simplified Theoretical Reaction: C₆H₁₂O_{6 (aq)} + 6O_{2 (g)} → 6CO_{2 (g)} + 6H₂O _(l) ΔH_c -2880kJ

In aerobic respiration the cellular waste products are:

• carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• water (H₂O)
• The other product coming out of cellular respiration is energy in the form of ATP

Anaerobic respiration

Main article: Anaerobic respiration

When oxygen is not available, a cell must undergo anaerobic respiration to generate energy. Fermentation is an example of anaerobic respiration.

Simplified Theoretical Reaction: C₆H₁₂O₆ $\to$ 2C₃H₆O₃ + 2 ATP (120 kJ)

In anaerobic respiration, the cellular waste product is:

• Lactic acid (C₃H₆O₃)

See also

• Aerobic respiration
• Anaerobic respiration