Final answer:
The energy found in food is chemical energy, which is stored in the molecular bonds of food. Our bodies convert this energy into ATP during digestion to power cell functions. The calories in food are a measure of this energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy found in food is known as chemical energy, which is stored in the food's molecular bonds. When we eat, our bodies break down food into smaller components, releasing this energy so that our cells can use it to function. The calories in food represent this chemical energy, and during digestion, our bodies convert these calories into a form of energy that our cells can use, primarily in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
It's much like how a car uses gasoline: the gasoline contains chemical energy that is released and converted when the car engine burns it to power the car. Similarly, the food we eat contains chemical energy that our bodies convert to power our physiological processes, such as moving, thinking, and growing. Without food energy, our cells could not perform the tasks necessary for living.