Final answer:
Cellular respiration is the process where glucose and oxygen are transformed into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water through glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and electron transport occurring in mitochondria. In the absence of mitochondria, organisms may undergo anaerobic respiration. Exhaled water vapor is a byproduct of respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cellular respiration is a biochemical process that converts glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and chemical energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate). This process is fundamental for cells to produce the energy necessary for various functions and maintenance. The three main stages of cellular respiration are glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (or citric acid cycle), and electron transport.
Importance of Mitochondria in Cellular Respiration:
The mitochondrion is a key organelle with a double membrane structure that plays a critical role in the process of cellular respiration, especially in the Krebs cycle and electron transport, which occur in its inner membrane. In an organism without mitochondria, another form of respiration such as anaerobic respiration might occur, indicating that the organism lives in an environment where oxygen is limited or absent.
Production of Water Vapor during Respiration:
When a person exhales onto a cold window pane, the water vapor they observe comes from the metabolic processes in their body, specifically the release of water during the biochemical reactions of cellular respiration.