The class of organic molecules used as an immediate energy source for most organisms is carbohydrates , specifically glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide) that organisms break down during cellular respiration to release energy. This energy is then used to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of cells
. Glucose is central to energy metabolism in many organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. It is oxidized stepwise to carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy that cells harness to generate ATP
. ATP then powers various cellular processes requiring energy
. In summary:
- Class of molecule: Carbohydrates (monosaccharides)
- Key molecule: Glucose
- Role: Immediate energy source converted into ATP for cellular functions
This makes carbohydrates, and glucose in particular, the primary immediate energy source for most living organisms
