adenosine triphosphate

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adenosine triphosphate (ATP) High-energy phosphoric ester (i.e. nucleotide) of the nucleoside adenosine, which functions as the principal energy-carrying compound in the cells of all living organisms. Its hydrolysis to ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate is accompanied by the release of a relatively large amount of free energy (34kJ/mol at pH 7) which is used to drive many metabolic functions.

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