The chemical process that occurs during cellular respiration is the conversion of glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. This process occurs in three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate, which then enters the Krebs cycle for further processing. The electrons released throughout these stages are ultimately transferred to oxygen, leading to the production of ATP, the energy currency of the cell. Cellular respiration is crucial for energy production in aerobic organisms.