How is the energy in glucose used?

1 Answer
May 7, 2017

The energy stored in glucose molecule is transferred to ATP molecule at the time of breakdown of glucose during cellualar respiration.

Explanation:

The solar energy is transferred to chemical energy during photosynthesis and stored in glucose molecule.

The glucose molecule is broken down into carbon dioxide and water by undergoing a series of reactions in aerobic respiration. These reactions are divided into 2 main stages, i.e. Glycolysis and TCA ( tricarboxylic acid ) cycle or citric acid cycle.

Some of these reactions are exothermic, releasing energy. The energy released is used in attaching inorganic phosphate to ADP (adenosine diphosphate) molecule to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecule. The energy is stored in energy rich phosphate bond of ATP molecule.

38 ATP molecules are produced during aerobic breakedown of glucose molecule into carbon dioxide and water.

Whenever energy is required for any metabolic activity in cell, ATP molecule is converted into ADP molecule releasing energy stored in energy rich phosphate bond.