Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is thought of as the “molecular currency” for energy transfer within the cell.
Function:
ATPs are used as the main energy source for metabolic functions. They are consumed by energy-requiring (endothermic) processes and produced by energy-releasing (exothermic) processes in the cell. It does this by giving either losing or gaining a phosphate group.
ATP (high energy) ##<=>## ADP (low energy) The pair is ADP (adenosine diphosphate) with two phosphates and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Energy is transferred as a matter of how many phosphate group the molecules have. ATP energizes the endothermic process thus becoming ADP. While ADP can take up energy from an exothermic process and gain a phosphate (phosphorylated) to become ATP.
Structure: ATP is made up of an one adenosine – ribose sugar and adenine – that is attached to three phosphate group (triphosphate).
Where they come from: There are multiple pathways to produce ATP including fermentation, cellular respiration, and photophosphorylation.