ATP

ATP

noun \ˌā-ˌtē-ˈpē\

Definition of ATP

: a phosphorylated nucleotide C₁₀H₁₆N₅O₁₃P₃ composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes by undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis especially to ADP —called also adenosine triphosphate

Origin of ATP

adenosine triphosphate

First Known Use: 1939

ATP

noun \ˌā-ˌtē-ˈpē, ā-ˈtē-ˌpē\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ATP

: a phosphorylated nucleotide C₁₀H₁₆N₅O₁₃P₃ composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes by undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis especially to ADP—called also adenosine triphosphate

ATP

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Organic compound, substrate in many enzyme-catalyzed reactions (see catalysis) in the cells of animals, plants, and microorganisms. ATP's chemical bonds (see bonding) store a large amount of chemical energy. ATP therefore functions as the carrier of chemical energy from energy-yielding oxidation (see oxidation-reduction) of food to energy-demanding cellular processes. Three such processes of metabolism are sources of ATP and stored energy: fermentation, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and cellular respiration (also called oxidative phosphorylation). All form ATP from adenosine monophosphate (AMP) or adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate. When the reaction goes in the other direction, ATP is broken down to ADP or AMP and phosphate, and the released energy is used to perform chemical, electrical, or osmotic work for the cell.

Variants of ATP

ATP in full adenosine triphosphate