What is the process called that breaks down food molecules to generate energy for the cell?

The process that breaks down food molecules to generate energy for the cell is respiration. This process involves a series of metabolic reactions that take place within the cells to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which cells use for energy. During respiration, glucose and oxygen are typically involved in the reaction, producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Respiration is essential for all aerobic organisms, as it allows them to extract energy stored in food molecules, enabling cellular functions necessary for survival. This process is fundamentally important in biology, as it is closely tied to the energy economy of cells.

In contrast, photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water, thus generating glucose as an energy source. Osmosis refers to the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane and does not involve the breakdown of food molecules for energy. Fermentation is an anaerobic process that also breaks down food molecules for energy, but it occurs without oxygen and typically yields less energy than respiration.