Which molecule is primarily responsible for storing chemical energy produced by mitochondria?

The molecule primarily responsible for storing chemical energy produced by mitochondria is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is often referred to as the energy currency of the cell because it plays a crucial role in energy transfer within the cell. When mitochondria undergo cellular respiration, they convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP. This energy is then used to fuel various cellular processes that require energy, such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and biosynthesis of macromolecules.

ATP consists of a ribose sugar, adenine base, and three phosphate groups. The energy stored in ATP is held in the high-energy bonds between the phosphate groups. When one of these bonds is broken (usually the bond between the second and third phosphate), energy is released that can then be harnessed by the cell for various functions.

In contrast, while glucose is indeed a significant initial energy source, it primarily serves as the raw material that gets broken down during cellular respiration to ultimately produce ATP. Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, and DNA contains the genetic instructions necessary for the development and function of living organisms but does not store energy directly. Thus, ATP's specific role in energy storage and transfer is what makes it the correct answer.