Final answer:
The energy from cellular respiration is stored in ATP's high-energy phosphate bonds, and when excess carbohydrates are not immediately needed, they are converted into fat and stored in adipose tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy produced by cellular respiration is primarily stored in the form of a molecule known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is during the process of cellular respiration that energy is transferred from glucose to ATP, providing the necessary power for cellular activities. ATP serves as a storage container for energy because of the high-energy phosphate bonds between its phosphate groups. When these bonds are broken, as in the conversion of ATP to ADP (adenosine diphosphate), energy is released to be used by the cell.
During the process of cellular respiration, a glucose molecule is oxidized through various stages to ultimately produce ATP. In this process, energy is captured in molecules like ATP and NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). The glucose molecule has been completely oxidized by the end of cellular respiration, and its stored chemical potential energy has been transferred to these energy-carrying molecules.
When the body has an excess of carbohydrates that are not needed immediately for energy, they are converted into fat and stored in the body's adipose tissue. This process allows for energy to be stored long-term and used at a later time when it's needed.