Which process involves the breakdown of glucose to release energy?

The process that involves the breakdown of glucose to release energy is cellular respiration. While glycolysis is part of cellular respiration, it specifically refers to the initial stage where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, resulting in a small amount of energy in the form of ATP. Cellular respiration encompasses not only glycolysis but also the subsequent steps in aerobic or anaerobic pathways, including the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, which produce significantly more energy.

In contrast, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, specifically glucose, and does not involve the breakdown of glucose. Fermentation occurs in the absence of oxygen and can also break down glucose, but it yields less energy compared to cellular respiration. Understanding cellular respiration as the overarching process provides a clearer context for how glucose is utilized to generate energy in living organisms.