What role does cellular respiration play in the carbon cycle? It removes CO_(2) from the atmosphere during glycolysis. It removes CO_(2) from the atmosphere during the citric acid cycle. It releases CO_(2) to the atmosphere during acetyl CoA formation. It releases CO_(2) to the atmosphere during electron transport.

Cellular respiration is a crucial process that occurs in the cells of living organisms to produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). During cellular respiration, glucose is broken down, and oxygen is used as the final electron acceptor. The carbon cycle is a natural process that involves the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and geosphere.<br /><br />In the context of the carbon cycle, cellular respiration plays a role in the release of carbon dioxide ($CO_{2}$) into the atmosphere. Specifically, it releases $CO_{2}$ to the atmosphere during acetyl CoA formation. This occurs in the mitochondria of cells during the process of the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle). During this cycle, acetyl CoA is converted into various intermediates, and carbon dioxide is released as a byproduct. This release of $CO_{2}$ into the atmosphere contributes to the carbon cycle by returning carbon to the atmosphere, where it can be used by plants during photosynthesis.<br /><br />Therefore, the correct answer is: It releases $CO_{2}$ to the atmosphere during acetyl CoA formation.