Humans get energy from food. Food acts as a source of fuel. But do you know how is energy produced in the human body? The answer is ATP. So, what is ATP full form? You can interpret ATP as Adenosine Triphosphate. Karl Lohmann, a German chemist, discovered the ATP molecule for the first time in 1929. But the credit for synthesizing ATP molecules goes to Alexander Todd in 1948.
ATP is an important part of the human body system. It is not adequate to know just ATP full form. So, get ready to learn the structure and functioning of ATP in the human body.
Adenosine Triphosphate is known as the energy currency of the cell. The reason lies in the molecules of ATP. ATP is an organic compound and consists of three molecules. These are phosphate groups, adenine, and sugar ribose. These molecules provide energy for various cellular and biochemical functions. These molecules get chemical energy from the digested food molecules. Mitochondria has the function of synthesizing ATP molecules. Cell organelles bounded by the membrane enclose mitochondria. That’s why mitochondria earn the nickname “the powerhouse of the cell.”
There are three essential components of ATP. These are ribose sugar, adenine or nitrogen base, and triphosphate group. Ribose sugar is a pentose sugar molecule. The first carbon of the sugar molecule has adenine attached to it.
Ribose sugar and adenine together form adenosine. ATP, a nucleotide, has triphosphate groups attached to the fifth carbon of the ribose sugar. The alpha, beta, and gamma phosphates are phosphoryl groups, which store energy in their bonds. The high energy content comes from two phospho-anhydride bonds between the phosphate groups. ATP is soluble in water, and its outer phosphate group is primarily used for energy production. ATP converts to ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) when energy is released. ADP, a nucleotide with two phosphates, allows cells to use ATP’s stored energy by breaking these bonds.-
ATP performs several other functions apart from energy production. It does cellular processes. ATP does the molecule’s transportation across cellular membranes. It controls chemical reactions and sends messages. Cells need many more macromolecules. ATP stores these macromolecules. It performs many other functions in the human body. It uses energy for the circulation of blood, locomotion, and body movements.
ATP is the direct source of energy for the cell. It carries chemical energy derived from the foods. This energy is released after the breakdown of the ATP.
Cellular respiration is the primary source of ATP synthesis. The cellular functions include the transport of ions and cell signaling. It also includes biomolecule synthesis and muscle contraction. Oxidation of respiratory substrates like carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins takes place. It leads to the release of high-energy bonds. Among these, glucose is the main source of energy.
ATP consists of three phosphate groups. When a cell requires energy, it uses the third phosphate for energy production. This process breaks down the high-energy bonds to release energy. We refer to the two remaining phosphate groups as adenosine diphosphate. ADP will again restore the phosphorus group through respiration. This cycle will go on.
Anabolic reactions consume energy. Catabolic reactions produce energy. Anabolic reactions are responsible for the synthesis of glucose. A catabolic reaction is the process of breaking down glucose to release energy. The catabolic reaction converts chemical fuels to chemical energy. An anabolic reaction consumes this energy.
The research on ATP is continuing. Research on the future perspectives will reveal more secrets and applications of ATP.
The study of temporal and spatial dynamics of ATP requires methodological study. Scientists have developed many molecular probes to study ATP. These molecular probes will combine with imaging techniques like optical microscopes. Further, this will do the quantitative and qualitative analysis detection of critical molecules.
Along with its role in biological processes, ATP has some potential value in other fields. Adenosine can be used in anesthesia and intensive care medicine. Its role can be traced to the treatment of acute pain, chronic pain, and sepsis. So, it can be said that its potential applications are modulation of hemodynamics, pain management, and treatment of shocks.
ATP resembles proteins in genetic material. It can be used in genetic processes.
Taking ATP orally directly is not possible because it is synthesized into adenosine and uric acid. Primarily, ATP production is an aerobic process. However, in the absence of oxygen, ATP can be generated through the glycolysis process. The electron transport system generates the most ATP, that is 32 or 34 molecules.
The formation of ATP is vital for running cellular processes. It is the storehouse of energy. The body transports energy for functions like muscle contraction and locomotion. It helps in the circulation of blood and body movements. Cell survival is possible through multi-thousand types of molecule formation in ATP. It also works as a messenger in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Learn more about some other full forms:
DNA Full Form | IUPAC Full Form | PVC Full Form |
NTG Full Form | PCR Full Form | EDTA Full Form |
BOD Full Form | RNA Full Form | HPLC Full Form |
The full form of ATP is Adenosine Triphosphate. Karl Lohmann, a German chemist, discovered the ATP molecule for the first time in 1929. But the credit for synthesizing ATP molecules goes to Alexander Todd in 1948.
ATP consists of three molecules. These are phosphate groups, adenine, and sugar ribose. These molecules provide energy for various cellular and biochemical functions. These molecules get chemical energy from the digested food molecules.
ATP does cellular processes like molecule transportation across cellular membranes. It controls chemical reactions and sends messages. Cells need many more macromolecules. ATP stores these macromolecules.
There are three essential components of ATP. These are ribose sugar, adenine or nitrogen base, and triphosphate group. Ribose sugar is a pentose sugar molecule. The first carbon of the sugar molecule has adenine attached to it, and the fifth carbon of the ribose sugar has the triphosphate groups attached to it.
Along with its role in biological processes, ATP has some potential value in other fields. Anesthesia and intensive care medicine can use adenosine. We can trace its role in the treatment of acute pain, chronic pain, and sepsis. So, we can say that its potential applications involve the modulation of hemodynamics. It also finds use in pain management and treatment of shocks.
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