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Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is the primary catabolic pathway used by cells to release the chemical energy stored within glucose (and other fuel molecules like fats and proteins). It's a controlled, step-by-step process occurring inside cells, involving a series of enzyme-controlled reactions.

The main purpose of cellular respiration is not just to break down glucose, but to capture the energy released from its chemical bonds in a usable form. This usable energy is stored in molecules of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).