(1)	ATP+&+how+it+works

ATP (short for Adenosine Triphosphate) is produced by almost every single living thing in their cells' organelle, called mitochondria (or sometimes called the cell's 'power plant'). It is composed of adenosine (adenine and ribose) and three phosphate groups (hence the name triphosphate), and is arguably one of the most molecules in biology. ATP transports chemical energy inside cells for metabolism. It is what makes the cell work, like how electricity is used to power lights in our houses. ATP is actually not energy, but it is what stores energy in its phosphodiester bonds (the bonds that link the phosphate groups and the ATP itself). This is the structure of ATP, with the 3 phosphates attached:



When a new bond is created, it is broken down and energy will be released into the cell, through chemical reactions. If this is hard to understand, think of it as a battery that is charged, and when finished charging, it sets off an electrical surge that can be used to power the body. ATP was discovered by a scientist called Karl Lohmann in 1929, but the structure was not fully understood until several years later. __ MLA: __ John Mayers. "What Is ATP." //The Q&A Wiki//. WikiAnswers. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <[]>.

An ATP particle has three phosphate particles that cling on to it, which is why the 'T' stands for triphosphate. When these phosphate particles break off, energy will be released, resulting in a chemical reaction that causes a 'spark' in the cell, which powers the whole cell. After that one phosphate has been released for energy, the cell is now called 'ADP', because it has only two phosphates attached (diphosphate). This is because of other particles that attach to that phosphate, which will cause it to break off and release energy. For example, if you have water (H20) near the phosphate, it will react, breaking of the phosphate making it ADP. Below is an example:

==== Soon after they run out, the cell will make its journey back to its energy source (mitochondria) and 'recharge', or reattaching more phosphate particles. Once this is done, it can supply energy to all parts of the cell. The process of attaching and detaching ATP always go in an ongoing cycle, as respiration always occur. Since ATP is constantly being used up for the human body's activities, there must also be an energy source ready to produce ATP. This is done by new glucose entering the body through breaking down of food. This energy helps connect the phosphate molecules together to form three phosphate molecules, as explained in the diagram. However, the energy content does not come from the bonding of phosphate molecules but it comes from the interactions of atoms inside the ATP molecule. The energy required to make ATP is less than the energy released from each phosphate molecule. Therefore, there is always an energy profit for the use of cell's activities.====

Bergman, Jerry. "ATP: The Perfect Energy Currency for the Cell." - The True.Origin Archive -. 1999. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. <[]>.

MLA Citation: Wikipedia contributors. "Adenosine triphosphate." // Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia //. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 Feb. 2012. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. < []>.

ATP is needed because without it, the cell will shrivel up and die because its organelles cannot work.


 * __How ATP turns from 3 phosphates to one, and the corresponding names__**



How An ATP molecule works

A video to help you understand ATP and its processes. Another video produced by Khan Academy, which shows an introduction to ATP.
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IF you want to see how ATP is used and produced, please look at the other pages on this wiki.