Final answer:
We get energy from food by breaking the molecular bonds within food molecules, which releases stored chemical energy that the body can convert into kinetic or thermal energy, or store as chemical energy in fat.
Step-by-step explanation:
We obtain energy from the food we eat through the process of cellular respiration, which is responsible for breaking the molecular bonds within food molecules and releasing chemical energy. This chemical energy is then transformed into different forms, such as kinetic energy, which powers our muscles, and thermal energy, which helps maintain our body temperature. Additionally, any excess energy can be stored in the body as chemical energy in fatty tissue for later use.
Specifically, the correct answer to the student's question is option B, which states that breaking the molecular bonds in the food releases stored chemical energy. This is due to the energy being stored in the potential energy of the chemical bonds, which, when broken during digestion and metabolic processes, convert into useable energy for the body.