Cellular respiration is the process by which cells in plants and animals break down sugar and turn it into energy, which is then used to perform work at the cellular level. The purpose of cellular respiration is simple: it provides cells with the energy they need to function. If living things could not get the energy they need out of food, it would be absolutely worthless. All living things would eventually die, no matter the quality and amount of food.
Cellular respiration is used to create usable energy from the foods that living things eat. It’s important to know that the reactions involved in cellular respiration are catabolic, meaning they break down molecules into smaller ones. This differs from anabolic reactions, which build bigger molecules from smaller ones. Key point: Cellular respiration involves catabolic reaction in order to break down food into usable energy so that cells, and the living organisms that contain them, can survive and thrive.