triphosphat
Triphosphat refers to a chemical compound containing three phosphate groups. In biological contexts, the most prominent example is adenosine triphosphate, commonly known as ATP. ATP is the primary energy currency of the cell, facilitating numerous metabolic processes. It consists of an adenine molecule, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups linked together. When the terminal phosphate bond is broken through hydrolysis, energy is released that can be used to power cellular activities.
The structure of a triphosphat molecule involves a chain of phosphorus atoms bonded to oxygen atoms, with
Beyond ATP, other triphosphat compounds exist, though they may not be as universally central to cellular life.