logo
AAT Bioquest

How is energy stored in ATP?

Posted September 13, 2022


Answer

Energy is stored between the bonds connecting the phosphate groups together in ATP. More specifically, the energy is stored between the second and third phosphate groups of ATP. When the cell requires energy, the third phosphate group becomes detached from ATP, releasing energy in that bond for the cell to use. The covalent bond holding the third phosphate group has approximately 7300 calories of energy.

Additional resources

ATP synthesis and storage

Cell Signaling

ATP assays for measuring cell proliferation

Biochemical assays for measuring ATP activity, formation or depletion

How to quantitate ATP induced calcium flux inside mammalian cells using fluorescent calcium indicators