The Structure of ATP (AQA AS Biology): Revision Note
Exam code: 7401
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)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Don’t worry – you don’t need to learn the full structural formulae of AMP, ADP, or ATP. Just know their components: a pentose sugar, adenine (a nitrogenous base), and the number of phosphate groups.
Remember: adenine is a base, while adenosine is a nucleoside (adenine + sugar).
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