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Adenosine triphosphate
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<p>Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a <a href="/facts/Nucleoside_triphosphate/cmhLQj6s">nucleoside triphosphate</a> that provides <a href="/facts/Energy/wd8PrQM7">energy</a> to drive and support many processes in living <a href="/facts/Cell_(biology)/bLM9UQvy">cells</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Muscle_contraction/EbloCYfV">muscle contraction</a>, <a href="/facts/Nerve_impulse/Sz8yCRqx">nerve impulse</a> propagation, and <a href="/facts/Chemical_synthesis/3KXsVVwC">chemical synthesis</a>. Found in all known forms of <a href="/facts/Life/DNw7NUId">life</a>, it is often referred to as the "molecular unit of <a href="/facts/Currency/g5GPGfTe">currency</a>" for intracellular <a href="/facts/Energy_transfer/IWMMTDBP">energy transfer</a>. </p><p>When consumed in a <a href="/facts/Metabolism/WxDrm8k5">metabolic</a> process, ATP converts either to <a href="/facts/Adenosine_diphosphate/JEDnsCjn">adenosine diphosphate</a> (ADP) or to <a href="/facts/Adenosine_monophosphate/D9Ryfqad">adenosine monophosphate</a> (AMP). Other processes regenerate ATP. It is also a <a href="/facts/Precursor_(chemistry)/dUw8Mx2Y">precursor</a> to <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a> and <a href="/facts/RNA/HxPeNfNj">RNA</a>, and is used as a <a href="/facts/Coenzyme/AGo0PCUU">coenzyme</a>. An average adult human processes around 50 kilograms (about 100 <a href="/facts/Mole_(unit)/kCMFwCc0">moles</a>) daily. </p><p>From the perspective of <a href="/facts/Biochemistry/fa2pWEBp">biochemistry</a>, ATP is classified as a <a href="/facts/Nucleoside_triphosphate/cmhLQj6s">nucleoside triphosphate</a>, which indicates that it consists of three components: a nitrogenous base (<a href="/facts/Adenine/PSeDFBnl">adenine</a>), the sugar <a href="/facts/Ribose/VFKYCzPV">ribose</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Polyphosphate/f4ykkLuK">triphosphate</a>. </p>