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Multiple Choice
What is the primary role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the human body?
A
It functions as a hormone regulating blood glucose levels.
B
It stores genetic information in the nucleus.
C
It acts as a structural component of cell membranes.
D
It serves as the main energy currency for cellular processes.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of ATP: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule composed of an adenine base, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups. The bonds between the phosphate groups are high-energy bonds.
Learn the primary function of ATP: ATP serves as the main energy currency in cells, meaning it provides energy for various cellular processes such as muscle contraction, active transport, and biochemical reactions.
Explore how ATP releases energy: When ATP is hydrolyzed (broken down) into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and an inorganic phosphate (Pi), energy is released. This reaction can be represented as:
Differentiate ATP from other molecules: ATP does not store genetic information (that is the role of DNA and RNA), nor does it act as a structural component of cell membranes (that is the role of lipids like phospholipids). It also does not function as a hormone.
Conclude the importance of ATP: ATP is essential for life because it powers nearly all cellular activities, making it the universal energy carrier in biological systems.