Which process is primarily responsible for the production of \( \mathrm{CO}_2 \) that root hairs release into the soil?

Connect cellular respiration to root hairs: Root hairs perform cellular respiration to generate energy for their metabolic activities. During this process, carbon dioxide ( ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ ) is produced as a byproduct and released into the soil.

Differentiate cellular respiration from other processes: Transpiration involves the movement of water through plants and its evaporation from leaves, while photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide ( ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ ) to produce glucose. Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of nitrogen gas into ammonia by certain bacteria. None of these processes directly produce carbon dioxide ( ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ ) as a byproduct in root hairs.