Final answer:
When ATP's terminal phosphate group is cleaved, ADP and inorganic phosphate are formed, releasing energy in a hydrolysis reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the terminal phosphate group is split from ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the resulting products are ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and an inorganic phosphate (Pi). This process is a type of chemical reaction known as hydrolysis, which involves the addition of water (H2O) to break chemical bonds. ATP consists of a ribonucleotide that includes the nitrogenous base adenine, ribose (a five-carbon sugar), and three phosphate groups. The breaking of the bond between the beta and gamma phosphate groups—known as the phosphoanhydride bond—releases a significant amount of energy (> 7 kcal/mol) which is utilized by cells to perform various functions. The hydrolysis of ATP can be represented by the chemical equation: ATP + H2O → ADP + Pi + free energy. The release of energy occurs because the ADP and Pi that are formed have much lower free energy than the reactants, ATP and the water molecule used in the reaction.