How do cells use atoms as energy?

Question

How do cells use atoms as energy?

Answer 1

The don't use atoms; they use molecules.  The formation and breaking of the bonds between atoms is where the energy is added and subtracted.

Answer 2

It can't use just plain elemental atoms as energy. Cells use molecules that are reactive, and control their reaction in order to harvest the energy released by the reaction.

Answer 3

they do not use atoms, but the bond energies between the 2 atoms instead- breaking the bond = energy.