What process involves the breakdown of glucose to release carbon dioxide, water, and energy?

The breakdown of glucose to release carbon dioxide, water, and energy is a fundamental biological process known as respiration. This process occurs in the cells of living organisms, where glucose is oxidized to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). During respiration, the glucose molecule undergoes a series of chemical reactions, ultimately resulting in the release of carbon dioxide and water as by-products. This energy is critical for various cellular activities and overall metabolism in both plants and animals.

In contrast, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight, which is the opposite of respiration. The net assimilation rate refers to the balance between the amount of organic matter produced by photosynthesis and the amount consumed by respiration, rather than describing the breakdown of glucose itself. Osmosis is a physical process related to the movement of water through a selectively permeable membrane and does not involve glucose breakdown or energy release. Thus, respiration is the correct process that accurately describes the breakdown of glucose to yield carbon dioxide, water, and energy.