Final answer:
ATP is a molecule that functions as the energy currency in cells. Its structure includes adenosine, a sugar, and three phosphates. When ATP is hydrolyzed, energy is released for cellular work.
Step-by-step explanation:
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is a molecule that plays a vital role as the energy currency in cells. Its structure consists of adenosine, a nitrogenous base, and a five-carbon sugar, as well as three phosphates linked by high-energy bonds. ATP stores and transports energy within the cell, and when it is hydrolyzed, usually by removing its terminal phosphate group, energy is released to power cellular processes.