How does an ATP molecule release energy?
1 point
by breaking off a sugar
by adding a sugar
by breaking off a phosphate
by adding a phosphate
An ATP molecule releases energy by breaking off a phosphate group.
An ATP molecule releases energy by breaking off a phosphate group.
An ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecule releases energy by breaking off a phosphate group. ATP is commonly referred to as the "energy currency" of the cell because it stores and transfers energy for various cellular functions.
The structure of ATP consists of three phosphate groups attached to an adenosine molecule. When one phosphate group is cleaved off from ATP, it forms ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate (Pi). This process is called hydrolysis.
The breaking of this phosphate bond is what releases energy. This energy release is due to the transformation of the chemical bonds within the ATP molecule. The released energy can then be utilized by cells to carry out various essential processes like muscle contraction, active transport, and synthesis of macromolecules.