Final answer:
The statement is true; energy from food is indeed used in the formation of ATP from ADP and a phosphate group through a process called phosphorylation, storing energy in high-energy phosphate bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that energy released from food is used to join adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and a phosphate group to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is True. ATP, often referred to as the "energy currency" of the cell, stores energy in the bonds between its phosphate groups. This process is known as phosphorylation, which requires input of energy. On the flip side, when ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi), energy is released. This hydrolysis involves breaking the phosphoanhydride bonds between the phosphate groups, which is an exergonic reaction liberating energy for cellular activities.
The cycle of ATP hydrolysis and resynthesise from ADP and Pi is essential for providing energy to drive various metabolic processes, including muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and active transport across cell membranes. Phosphorylation is a critical aspect of how ATP and ADP facilitate energy transfer within the cell.