Florida Biology EOC Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Cells primarily utilize cellular respiration to release energy from glucose. This metabolic process involves breaking down glucose molecules in the presence of oxygen to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which serves as the energy currency of the cell. During cellular respiration, glucose is converted into pyruvate through glycolysis, which occurs in the cytoplasm. The pyruvate then enters the mitochondria, where it undergoes further processing in the Krebs cycle, resulting in additional ATP along with the production of carbon dioxide and water.

The significance of cellular respiration lies in its efficiency in extracting energy from glucose, making it a fundamental process for cellular functions in aerobic organisms. The ability of cells to harness energy through this pathway is crucial for maintaining life processes, such as growth, repair, and movement.

While fermentation is another process that can release energy from glucose, it typically occurs in anaerobic conditions and results in a lower yield of ATP compared to cellular respiration. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, storing it in glucose but not releasing it. Metabolism is a broader term that encompasses all chemical reactions in the body, including both energy-releasing and energy-consuming processes, making it less specific than cellular respiration