Final answer:
ATP functions as the energy currency for cells, storing and transferring energy for cellular processes. In addition to its role in plants, ATP is also crucial for various processes in living organisms, including muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) functions as the energy currency for cells. It allows the cells to store and transfer energy for cellular processes such as growth, movement, and active transport. The ATP molecule consists of a ribose sugar and an adenine base with three phosphates attached. When ATP is used for energy, a phosphate group or two are detached, and either ADP (adenosine diphosphate) or AMP (adenosine monophosphate) is produced. Energy derived from the metabolism of glucose is used to convert ADP into ATP during cellular respiration.
In living organisms other than plants, ATP is also essential for powering various processes. For example, in animals, ATP is necessary for muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission. It is also involved in active transport across cell membranes and biochemical reactions within cells.