noun

ATP

ay-tee-PEE

ATP (noun) means a molecule that stores and carries chemical energy inside living cells, releasing it for muscle contraction, nerve signals and other processes when one of its phosphate groups is broken off. Example: “Mitochondria produce most of the ATP a cell needs.”

noun

A molecule that stores and carries chemical energy inside living cells, releasing it for muscle contraction, nerve signals and other processes when one of its phosphate groups is broken off.

"Mitochondria produce most of the ATP a cell needs."

"Sprinting burns through stored ATP within a few seconds."

How to Use ATP

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe chemical your cells use to store and spend energy.

When to use it

Biology and biochemistry. Almost always written as the initialism, even in textbooks.

Memory tip

ATP is often called the cell's energy currency: it is spent and remade constantly rather than stockpiled.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

ADP AMP → adenosine

Common pairings

ATP production ATP synthase ATP molecule produce ATP

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Mitochondria produce most of the _____ a cell needs.

Etymology

An initialism of adenosine triphosphate.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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adenosine triphosphate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ATP stand for?

Adenosine triphosphate. The name describes the structure: an adenosine unit with three phosphate groups attached, and it is the bond to the third phosphate that carries the usable energy.

What is the difference between ATP and ADP?

ADP, adenosine diphosphate, is what remains after a cell removes one phosphate from ATP and uses the released energy. Cellular respiration then reattaches a phosphate to turn ADP back into ATP, so the two cycle back and forth continuously.

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