Final answer:
Oxygen is utilized in cellular respiration to transform the chemical energy in sugar into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy form cells can readily use for various functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxygen is used to convert the chemical energy found within sugar into a usable form of energy known as ATP. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the molecule that supplies energy for various cellular processes, such as muscle contraction and nerve impulse propagation. During cellular respiration, glucose and oxygen are used to produce carbon dioxide, water, and importantly, ATP. The process of cellular respiration can be summarized as glucose plus oxygen producing carbon dioxide and water, along with the transfer of energy to ATP.