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ATP is a nucleotide that contains a large amount of chemical energy stored in its high-
energy phosphate bonds. It releases energy when it is broken down (hydrolyzed) into
ADP. The energy is used for many metabolic processes. Hence, ATP is considered as the
universal energy currency for metabolism.
Its functions are for intracellular energy transport for various metabolic processes
including cell division.
A glucose molecule has high energy content. If all the energy was released at once then
there would be severe temperature problems in a cell. It is important that energy
liberation is in small bursts. This is achieved by using adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
molecules. Substrates such as glucose are broken down in enzyme-catalysed stages to
produce a number of ATP molecules.
The ATP needs to be broken down to liberate its energy. This is done by an enzyme,
ATPase.
Uses of ATP
muscle contraction
active transport
synthesis of macromolecules
Stimulates the breakdown of substrates to make even more ATP for other uses.
ATP is the immediate source of energy for muscle contraction. Although a muscle fiber
contains only enough ATP to power a few twitches, its ATP "pool" is replenished as
needed. There are three sources of high-energy phosphate to keep the ATP pool filled.
creatine phosphate
glycogen
Cellular respiration in the mitochondria of the fibers.
Synthesis of macromolecules
ATP is the main energy source for the majority of cellular functions. This includes the
synthesis of macromolecules, including DNA, RNA and proteins. ATP also plays a critical
role in the transport of these macromolecules across cell membranes.