Final answer:
Cells utilize cellular respiration to convert the chemical energy stored in glucose into ATP, using glycolysis, the Krebs Cycle, and the electron transport chain. These stages culminate in the concentration and flow of hydrogen ions that power ATP synthase to generate ATP from ADP, securing energy for various cellular functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Cells Capture Energy Through Cellular Respiration
Cells capture the energy released by cellular respiration through a multi-step process involving the conversion of glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of the cell. During cellular respiration, glucose is oxidized in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and water. The energy from glucose is transferred to ATP, which can then be used by the cell to perform various functions.
The process of cellular respiration includes several stages: glycolysis, the Krebs Cycle, and the electron transport chain. In the final stage, electron transport chains in the mitochondrial inner membrane capture high-energy electrons from reduced coenzymes NADH and FADHâ‚‚. These electrons are used to pump hydrogen ions across the mitochondrial membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient. When hydrogen ions flow back through ATP synthase, the energy is harnessed to convert ADP to ATP, effectively capturing the energy in a form that can be used by the cell for various metabolic activities.
Through this complex set of reactions, chemical energy from food is systematically transformed into an energy form readily available for the cell's use. In essence, cellular respiration allows cells to extract and utilize the energy stored in the chemical bonds of glucose, which is obtained from the organism's food intake and is originally derived from solar energy through photosynthesis.