ATP
Cellular energy currency
ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that serves as the primary energy currency in living cells.
When cells need energy for processes like muscle contraction, nerve signaling, or protein synthesis, they break down ATP to release it.
The body constantly produces and consumes ATP—an average person cycles through roughly their body weight in ATP daily.
In sports contexts, ATP also refers to the Association of Tennis Professionals, which governs men's professional tennis.
Purine nucleoside in cells
- triphosphateThree linked phosphate groups
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
- adeninePurine nucleobase in DNA
- ribosePentose in nucleotides
phosphate · purine · nucleoside · anhydride · macromolecule · organic compound · coenzyme · cofactor
Cell-level fuel burning
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
catabolism · anabolism · pyruvate · citric acid cycle · fermentation
Reduction in size
- myosinMotor protein enabling contraction
- actinCellular contractile protein
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- power strokeCombustion-driven piston movement
muscle fiber · cramp · exercise · exertion · rigor mortis · relaxation
Power moving between systems
- energy storageCapturing power for later
- energy releaseStored power becoming free
- bioenergeticsStudy of biological energy
- free energyWork-extractable energy measure
Nerve cell chemical communication
- synapticOf nerve connections
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
adenosine
Purine nucleoside in cells
- triphosphateThree linked phosphate groups
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
- adeninePurine nucleobase in DNA
ribose · phosphate · purine · nucleoside · anhydride · macromolecule · organic compound · coenzyme · cofactor
cellular respiration
Cell-level fuel burning
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
hydrolysis · catabolism · anabolism · pyruvate · citric acid cycle · fermentation
contraction
Reduction in size
- myosinMotor protein enabling contraction
- actinCellular contractile protein
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
power stroke · muscle fiber · cramp · exercise · exertion · rigor mortis · relaxation
energy transfer
Power moving between systems
- energy storageCapturing power for later
- energy releaseStored power becoming free
- bioenergeticsStudy of biological energy
neurotransmission
Nerve cell chemical communication
- synapticOf nerve connections
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
- Glycolysisglucose, pyruvate, NADH, phosphoenolpyruvate, 1
- Phosphorylationphosphate group, kinase, phosphatase, tyrosine kinase
- TriphosphatesGTP, NTP
- Adenine compoundsadenine, adenosine, NADH, FAD, acetyl-CoA
- Alarminsuric acid, histones, mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA, DNA
- Muscle Biochemistryactin, myosin, glycogen, glycolysis, lactic acid