The process of breaking down glucose for energy is known as cellular respiration. During this metabolic pathway, glucose is oxidized through a series of chemical reactions to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy carrier in cells. This process occurs mainly in the mitochondria and involves three key stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. Cellular respiration is essential for converting chemical energy stored in glucose into usable energy for various cellular activities, supporting growth, reproduction, and overall metabolic functions.