Final answer:
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the molecule that contains the energy produced during cellular respiration. It is created when the energy stored in glucose is transferred to ATP through various cellular processes, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecule that contains the energy produced during cellular respiration is ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is often referred to as the energy currency of the cell because it provides the energy that cells need to perform work, such as muscle contractions and other cellular processes. During cellular respiration, the energy stored in glucose is transferred to ATP, making it the primary molecule used to store energy.
Aerobic cellular respiration results in the production of ATP and water. Specifically, glucose is oxidized to produce carbon dioxide and water, and the energy released during this process is used to synthesize ATP. It's important to note that other molecules like NADH and FADH2 are also produced during cellular respiration, specifically in the Krebs cycle, and are important for the electron transport chain where the majority of ATP is produced.
The glucose that enters glycolysis is split into two molecules of pyruvate, which then enter the Krebs cycle if oxygen is present. Within the Krebs cycle, ATP, NADH, and FADH2 are generated, contributing to the overall production of ATP during cellular respiration.