Bad Rap – Climbing Mt. Respiration

Glucose + oxygen gas results in carbon dioxide, water and ATP.  Of all these components carbon dioxide always gets a bad rap. Sure it doesn’t provide a concentrated packet of chemical energy like glucose or supply cells with the necessary agent for releasing that energy like oxygen does.  Sure carbon dioxide doesn’t boast the title of “universal biological solvent” like water and it couldn’t possibly provide the jolt of phosphorylating energy that motivates every biological function like ATP does. 

Carbon dioxide can’t do any of that but that doesn’t mean it should be made out as the villain.  Carbon dioxide is the Tenzing Norgay of cellular respiration carrying the extra oxygen and carbon up to the summit of cellular respiration.  Glucose, oxygen and ATP get all the glory but without the molecular equivalent of a Nepalese Sherpa carrying the load, our fates, like Edmond’s, would be halted well short of the zenith, overcome by the elements of our own enthusiasm and high aspirations.