The Structure of ATP (AQA AS Biology): Revision Note

The structure of ATP

• All organisms require a constant supply of energy to maintain their cells and stay alive

• This energy is required:

  • for anabolic reactions, building larger molecules from smaller molecules

  • to move substances across the cell membrane (active transport) or to move substances within the cell

• In all known forms of life, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) from respiration is used to transfer energy in all energy-requiring processes in cells

• This is why ATP is known as the universal energy currency

• ATP is a phosphorylated nucleotide

  • Adenosine (a nucleoside) can be combined with one, two or three a phosphorylated groups

    • One phosphate group = adenosine monophosphate (AMP)

    • Two phosphate groups = adenosine diphosphate (ADP)

    • Three phosphate groups = adenosine triphosphate (ATP)