Final answer:
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the chief energy storage and currency molecule in cells, with 36 to 38 ATPs being produced from the breakdown of one glucose molecule during cellular respiration. Energy from ATP is available for immediate use, while glycogen and starch act as long-term energy stores, which can be broken down into glucose to supply more ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary molecule involved in energy storage and transfer within cells is ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This molecule functions as the energy currency that cells use to perform work, such as building complex molecules and powering muscle contraction. Energy from food molecules, like glucose, is extracted through a process called cellular respiration and is used to form ATP. When cells need energy to perform various functions, ATP molecules are broken down to release energy stored between its phosphate groups.
For every molecule of glucose, approximately 36 to 38 ATP molecules are produced during cellular respiration. This process involves catabolic pathways, which break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy that can be captured in the form of ATP. Other energy-storing molecules, such as fats, undergo similar catabolic reactions to also contribute to the pool of ATP.
Energy-storing polymers, such as glycogen and starch, serve as energy reserves. These polymers are broken down into glucose when the immediate supply of ATP needs to be replenished. Glucose, in turn, is used in the catabolic pathways to generate more ATP, demonstrating the cycle of energy transformation and utilization in cells.