Which statement describes carbon dioxide production during muscular activity?

Which statement describes carbon dioxide production during muscular activity?

• A. Muscles contract more slowly during exercise
• B. Oxygen consumption decreases
• C. More carbon dioxide produced by muscles during energy production
• D. Temperature remains constant

Answer: (C)

When muscles work hard, energy demands rise, so respiration increases to supply ATP. In aerobic respiration, fuels like glucose are oxidized, and carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product. As the rate of energy production climbs during exercise, more carbon dioxide is generated and must be carried to the lungs for exhalation. That’s why carbon dioxide production goes up with muscular activity. The other statements don’t fit this pattern: oxygen consumption actually increases to meet the higher energy demand, not decreases; temperature tends to rise during activity rather than stay constant; and the idea that muscles contract more slowly during exercise isn’t related to the amount of CO2 produced.

When muscles work hard, energy demands rise, so respiration increases to supply ATP. In aerobic respiration, fuels like glucose are oxidized, and carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product. As the rate of energy production climbs during exercise, more carbon dioxide is generated and must be carried to the lungs for exhalation. That’s why carbon dioxide production goes up with muscular activity.

The other statements don’t fit this pattern: oxygen consumption actually increases to meet the higher energy demand, not decreases; temperature tends to rise during activity rather than stay constant; and the idea that muscles contract more slowly during exercise isn’t related to the amount of CO2 produced.