Final answer:
D. ATP
During catabolism, complex molecules are broken down into simpler ones, and the energy stored in the bonds of these complex molecules is released and harvested in such a way that it can be used to produce ATP. The molecules that are catabolized for energy, such as glucose, are converted into ATP through various metabolic pathways.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecules that are catabolized for energy are converted into ATP.
During catabolism, complex molecules are broken down into simpler ones, and the energy stored in the bonds of these complex molecules is released and harvested in such a way that it can be used to produce ATP. Glucose, as the main source of energy, is catabolized through various pathways, such as glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, ultimately leading to the production of ATP.
For example, in the glycolysis pathway, glucose is split into two molecules of pyruvate, and in the Krebs cycle, acetyl-CoA is produced, which is further broken down to generate ATP. Therefore, the correct answer is D. ATP.