ATP

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Adenosine triphosphate or ATP is the energy-carrying molecule within all living cells. Without it our muscles would not work, our nerves would not feel, we could not digest food, sperm could not swim to fertilise eggs, life as we know it would be impossible. Yet this vital molecule works in a very simple and fascinating way. It stores energy in a sort of molecular spring, like a toy gun, ready to fire little bullets and release its energy, or pass it on to another molecule.

In the following pages we will find out how it works.