The body takes in food which must be converted into a form that can be used as a fuel by the cells. The fuel molecule of the cells is Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). The energy in ATP is stored in “high energy” phosphate bonds. ATP has three phosphates with two “high energy” bonds holding them together. Whenever the cells need energy to make a reaction occur, ATP contributes the energy in one of its bonds to make it happen. ATP then loses one of its phosphates and becomes Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP). The regeneration of ATP from ADP is of fundamental concern in the management of the body’s resources in maintaining an energy supply. Cellular respiration is the two-phase process that produces and regulates the production of ATP.
Figure 1 illustrates the ATP Regeneration Cycle. ATP is regenerated from the metabolism of foods. Oxygen is required, and carbon dioxide and water are the by-products. ATP is converted to ADP as it is used as an energy source. ADP is reconverted to ATP by cellular respiration.
BARCODE: -06156039