Question

What is ATP and why is it called the currency of energy?

Answer 1

ATP also known as adenosine triphosphate. It is a molecule that usually carries energy within. It is also known as the energy currency of the cell. It is found in all living cells and is very essential for metabolic function.

Complete answer:
Structure of ATP:
ATP is made up of adenosine molecules and three phosphate groups. It is highly soluble in water and has a very high energy content due to two phosphoanhydride bonds which helps in connecting 3 phosphate groups present in ATP.
How is ATP produced?
ATP is the end product of the process of photophosphorylation cellular respiration and fermentation ATP also helps in signal transduction as a pathway for communication process. It is also helpful in DNA synthesis.
When ATP is converted to ADP to hydrolysis energy is released this energy is a very helpful cellular reaction.
ATP as energy currency:
1. ATP helps in capturing the energy from the digested food and then helps it to supply to the cell for different cellular processes.
2. ATP donated to the Phosphorus group.
3. The hydrolysis of ATP leads to negative standard Gibbs free energy which can be utilized for metabolic Pathways.
4. The hydrolysis of ATP occurs only in the presence of specific enzymes.
5. The product of hydrolysis gives opportunities to start many chemical reactions in the cell
6. The presence of ATP helps in the attachment of enzymes which helps in regulating enzymatic activities.

Note:
Mitochondria is also known as a powerhouse of the cell that consists of their own ATP. mitochondria produce ATP by utilizing the energy of stored food.