ATP versus ADP
• ATP is a high-energy molecule.
• Cells use ATP for functions such as
building molecules and moving materials
by active transport.
• ADP is a lower-energy molecule that can
be changed into ATP by adding a
phosphate group.
• The energy carried by ATP is released
when the bond between the second and
third phosphates is broken. A phosphate
group is also released at this time.
• The energy released from ATP is then
used for various cell functions.
• To convert ADP back to ATP, a phosphate
group must be added, along with an
input of energy.
Question: What does “ATP” stand for?
Answer: Adenosine Triphosphate
Question: What are the components of ATP?
Answer: ATP is made up of an adenosine
molecule bonded to 3 phosphate
groups
Question: What is the difference between ATP
and ADP?
Answer: ATP has 3 phosphate groups, while
Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) only has
2 phosphate groups
*Remember:
tri=3
di=2