What is the primary purpose of respiration in living organisms?

The primary purpose of respiration in living organisms is to release energy from organic molecules, particularly glucose, through the process of breaking them down, which often results in the production of carbon dioxide as a byproduct. During cellular respiration, organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, water, and carbon dioxide. Therefore, the release of carbon dioxide is a key aspect of this energy production process, as it allows cells to efficiently convert chemical energy stored in food into usable energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Respiration is distinct from photosynthesis, which is the process used by plants to synthesize glucose using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. Therefore, the incorrect options focus on processes that do not accurately represent the fundamental role of respiration in energy production and the relationship between respiration and gas exchange in living organisms.