What is the function of ATP?

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is thought of as the "molecular currency" for energy transfer within the cell.

Function:

ATPs are used as the main energy source for metabolic functions. They are consumed by energy-requiring (endothermic) processes and produced by energy-releasing (exothermic) processes in the cell. It does this by giving either losing or gaining a phosphate group.

ATP (high energy) ##<=>## ADP (low energy) The pair is ADP (adenosine diphosphate) with two phosphates and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Energy is transferred as a matter of how many phosphate group the molecules have. ATP energizes the endothermic process thus becoming ADP. While ADP can take up energy from an exothermic process and gain a phosphate (phosphorylated) to become ATP.

Structure: ATP is made up of an one adenosine - ribose sugar and adenine - that is attached to three phosphate group (triphosphate).

Where they come from: There are multiple pathways to produce ATP including fermentation, cellular respiration, and photophosphorylation.