Question

unit 2 exam 2025 - 26
when cells break down food molecules, energy
is released all at once
is released entirely as body heat into the environment
is temporarily stored in atp molecules and released as needed
causes excitation of electrons in chlorophyll molecules

Explanation:

When cells break down food molecules through cellular respiration, the energy is not released all at once or entirely as heat. Instead, it is used to produce ATP (adenosine - triphosphate) molecules. ATP acts as an energy - currency in the cell, storing energy in its high - energy phosphate bonds and releasing it as needed for various cellular processes. Excitation of electrons in chlorophyll molecules occurs during photosynthesis, not during the breakdown of food molecules in cellular respiration.

Answer:

is temporarily stored in ATP molecules and released as needed