What is the term for energy released from the breakdown of food?

The term for energy released from the breakdown of food is adenosine triphosphate, commonly known as ATP. ATP serves as the primary energy carrier in all living organisms. When food is metabolized, it undergoes various processes that break it down into simpler molecules. These processes, such as cellular respiration, ultimately convert the stored chemical energy in food into ATP, which can then be utilized by cells for various functions, including muscle contraction, cell division, and maintaining cellular activities.

While glycogen is a form of stored glucose in the body that can be converted to glucose when needed, it is not the direct energy currency itself. Lactate is a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, indicating that the body is breaking down glucose for energy without enough oxygen, but it does not itself represent energy; rather, it is a temporary measure in high-intensity exercise. Carnitine plays a role in the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production but is not the energy source itself. ATP is specifically the molecule that captures and transfers energy derived from food, making it the correct term in this context.