Final answer:
ATP releases energy when its phosphate bonds are broken and is also produced during photosynthesis. It is the short-term energy currency of the cell, whereas glucose is used for long-term energy storage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question about ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is that it indeed releases energy when its phosphate bonds are broken. ATP is the primary energy currency of the cell, and it stores energy in the phosphate ester bonds. When these bonds are broken, ATP is converted to ADP (adenosine diphosphate) plus a phosphate group, a process that releases energy for cellular activities.
Furthermore, ATP is also produced during photosynthesis, where it provides the energy necessary for the synthesis of glucose from carbon dioxide and water. Long-term energy storage in cells is not carried out by ATP, but rather by glucose and other carbohydrates, such as starch or glycogen, which are more stable and can be stored for longer periods. ATP, due to its instability, is not primarily stored in the cell membrane or in the form of glucose but is used for short-term energy transport within the cell.