Final answer:
The energy from food is metabolized to support bodily functions, with excess energy stored as fats. This process, which includes the measurement of food energy in Calories, underscores the importance of metabolism and energy storage in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy from the food we consume is used by our body to perform various functions and activities. This process is known as metabolism, and it involves the oxidation of food, meaning the chemical potential energy within food is released to perform work within our cells. The energy is measured in Calories, and this unit is equivalent to the amount of heat required to raise 1 kg of water by 1°C. Any excess energy that our body does not need immediately for work or keeping us warm gets stored, primarily as fats. This stored energy can be later used during times when we do not eat, such as during fasting or starvation.