Question Which statement best describes energy release in cellular respiration? %C2%A0(1 point) Responses Stored chemical energy is broken down and released in the cytoplasm. Stored chemical energy is broken down and released in the cytoplasm. Stored chemical energy is broken down and released in the mitochondria. Stored chemical energy is broken down and released in the mitochondria. Stored chemical energy can be used immediately and is released in the mitochondria. Stored chemical energy can be used immediately and is released in the mitochondria. Stored chemical energy can be used immediately and is released in the cytoplasm.
Stored chemical energy is broken down and released in the mitochondria.
The statement "Stored chemical energy is broken down and released in the mitochondria." best describes energy release in cellular respiration.
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the process of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert stored chemical energy, typically in the form of glucose, into usable energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This process occurs in the presence of oxygen and can be divided into three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), and the electron transport chain.
During glycolysis, which takes place in the cytoplasm, glucose is broken down into pyruvate molecules. This process generates a small amount of ATP and NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) as a result of the chemical reactions. Therefore, some energy is released in the cytoplasm.
However, the majority of the energy release occurs in the mitochondria. After glycolysis, the pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria, where they are further broken down through the Krebs cycle. This cycle produces NADH and FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide), as well as a few molecules of ATP. The energy stored in these molecules is then used in the final stage of cellular respiration, the electron transport chain.
In the electron transport chain, located in the inner membrane of the mitochondria, the NADH and FADH2 produced earlier donate their electrons, and through a series of reactions, ATP is generated. This is where the majority of ATP, and thus the energy release, occurs in cellular respiration.
Based on this information, we can conclude that the statement "Stored chemical energy is broken down and released in the mitochondria" best describes energy release in cellular respiration.