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[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/) · Molecule

# ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

ATP is the cell's energy currency: giving up its last phosphate pays for movement, transport and building.

Updated 2026-10-31

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## Key facts

- Adenine + ribose + three phosphates; the useful energy lies in the anhydride bonds between the phosphates.
- Its hydrolysis to ADP releases about 30.5 kJ/mol under standard conditions (more inside the cell).
- Glycolysis leaves a net 2 ATP per glucose; complete oxidation with oxygen about 30–32.
- In the cell it is almost always bound to Mg²⁺: kinases use Mg-ATP.

**Formula**
C₁₀H₁₆N₅O₁₃P₃

**PubChem**
[CID 5957](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5957)

## Structure

- The phosphates are named α, β and γ from the ribose; kinases transfer the γ one.

## Clinical notes

- A person recycles roughly their body weight in ATP each day; almost none is stored.
- Without ATP the Na⁺/K⁺ pump fails: the cell swells (the cellular edema of ischemia).

## Pathways

- [Glycolysis](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/glycolysis/)
- [Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/krebs-cycle/)

## Related conditions

- [Lactic acidosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/lactic-acidosis/)

## Related

- [Hexokinase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/hexokinase/)
- [Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/phosphofructokinase-1/)
- [Pyruvate kinase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/pyruvate-kinase/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which glycolysis steps make ATP?

Step 7 (phosphoglycerate kinase) and step 10 (pyruvate kinase), by substrate-level phosphorylation.

## Which ion goes with ATP in kinase reactions?

Magnesium (Mg²⁺); the true substrate is the Mg-ATP complex.

## Which phosphate of ATP do kinases transfer?

The γ phosphate (farthest from the ribose).

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Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (CID 5957)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5957) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; [ATP (CHEBI:15422)](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=CHEBI:15422) (ChEBI, EMBL-EBI, 2026) · [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/atp/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/atp/