What happens to energy when living cells break down molecules?

Energy is stored as an ATP molecule and it is then released as heat.

Mitochondria is the cell organelle that produced the energy that is needed in the body system in form of atp, that is why it is called the power house of the cell. energy is needed by the living organisms to carry out the activities which sustain life.  if the mitochondria is destroyed atp will not be produced. if the mitochondria is destroyed, energy production will stop and the affected living organism will not have the energy to carry out the necessary life processes; this will lead to the death of the organism.