Final answer:
Cellular respiration is the process where energy stored in food is released and captured in ATP molecules. The chemical energy in glucose is converted into ATP, which provides energy for cellular functions. The best summary statement is that energy in food is released and stored in ATP molecules (option A).
Step-by-step explanation:
What Happens During Cellular Respiration?
The process of cellular respiration is a biochemical pathway by which cells release the energy stored in food. The best statement that summarizes what happens during cellular respiration is option A: Energy in food is released and stored in ATP molecules. During this process, the chemical energy in glucose is converted into the chemical energy in ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is used by the cells to perform various functions such as building complex molecules, transporting materials, and contracting muscles. Unlike the direct conversion of solar energy to chemical energy in photosynthesis, cellular respiration involves the breaking down of glucose molecules that were previously formed through photosynthesis or consumed in the diet.
The energy released from the breakdown of glucose and other food molecules is captured in the form of ATP. ATP is a molecule that transfers energy from one reaction to other reactions within the cell, making it highly accessible and adaptable for cellular work. Therefore, cellular respiration is essential for sustaining the energy requirements of living cells and effectively supports the life processes in all organisms that respire aerobically.