Ace the MISA Biology Bash 2026 – Dive into Science Success!

The primary energy currency used by cells is ATP, or adenosine triphosphate. ATP functions as a universal energy carrier in all living organisms. It consists of a ribose sugar, adenine base, and three phosphate groups. The high-energy bonds between the phosphate groups contain potential energy, which can be released when ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and an inorganic phosphate. This release of energy is crucial for powering various biological processes, including muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and synthesis of macromolecules.

While other molecules like NADH, FADH2, and GTP play significant roles in cellular metabolism and energy transfer, they serve more specialized functions. NADH and FADH2 primarily act as electron carriers in metabolic pathways such as cellular respiration, facilitating the transfer of electrons to generate ATP indirectly. GTP functions similarly to ATP but is often used in specific signaling pathways and protein synthesis. Thus, ATP remains the central and most widely used form of energy currency in cells.