ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
the cell’s energy currency
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a molecule that stores and transfers energy in living organisms. It is considered the primary energy currency of the cell and is produced during cellular respiration.
The ATP molecule is made up of three components: a nitrogenous base called adenine, a five-carbon sugar molecule called ribose, and three phosphate groups. The phosphate groups are linked together by high-energy bonds that store energy. When one of these phosphate groups is removed, the energy is released and the molecule is converted into ADP (adenosine diphosphate).
ATP is produced in the mitochondria of cells through a process called cellular respiration. This process involves the breakdown of glucose into carbon dioxide and water, which releases energy that is captured by the formation of ATP. ATP can then be used by the cell to power cellular processes such as movement, protein synthesis, and active transport of molecules across cell membranes.
In summary, ATP is a vital molecule for the functioning of living cells as it provides the energy needed for a wide range of cellular processes.
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