adenosintrifosfátu

Adenosintrifosfát, commonly known as ATP, is a molecule that serves as the primary energy currency of the cell. It is found in all living organisms, from simple bacteria to complex multicellular animals. ATP is a nucleotide composed of adenine, a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups. The energy is stored in the high-energy bonds between the phosphate groups, particularly the bond between the second and third phosphate.

When a cell needs energy to perform a task, such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, or synthesizing new molecules, it breaks the terminal phosphate bond of ATP. This process, called hydrolysis, releases a significant amount of energy and converts ATP into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and an inorganic phosphate molecule. The energy released is then used to power cellular activities.

ADP can then be re-phosphorylated back into ATP through cellular respiration, a process that occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells, or through photosynthesis in plants and some bacteria. This continuous cycle of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis ensures that cells have a constant supply of readily available energy for their metabolic processes. The efficiency of this energy transfer is crucial for maintaining life.