Which process involves the breakdown of glucose to produce energy?

The breakdown of glucose to produce energy is primarily defined by the process of cellular respiration. During cellular respiration, glucose is oxidized through a series of chemical reactions, which ultimately leads to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell. This process occurs in multiple stages, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. Each stage plays a critical role in extracting energy from glucose molecules.

While fermentation and metabolism relate to energy production and biochemical processes, they do not exclusively explain the specific breakdown of glucose for energy like cellular respiration does. Fermentation is an anaerobic process that can occur in the absence of oxygen, while metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in the body, including those not directly related to glucose breakdown. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, rather than breaking down glucose. Thus, cellular respiration is the most accurate choice for the breakdown of glucose to yield energy.