What is ATP and what makes it a good source of energy in biological processes?

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is a nucleotide derivative which is used to store energy to power most of the reactions in a cell. Reminder: Nucleotides are the five bases which make up DNA and RNA - Adenine, Cytosine, Thymine, Guanine and Uracil.ATP is a suitable energy source because it is soluble which allows it to diffuse freely throuhout the cell so that it can move within the various organelles to power the reactions which occur within them. Furthermore, in order to obtain the energy only a single reaction, known as hydrolysis is needed. Notably, the hydrolysis of the bonds which hold ATP together produces energy in small amounts which are suitable to power the reactions which occur within a cell so energy is not wasted.

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Answered by Anna W. Biology tutor

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