Adenosine Triphosphate, or ATP, is a molecule that serves as the primary energy carrier in all living cells. It consists of three phosphate groups, a ribose sugar, and an adenine base. When one of the phosphate bonds is broken, energy is released, which cells use to perform various functions, such as muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission. ATP is produced mainly in the mitochondria of cells through processes like cellular respiration and photosynthesis in plants. It is essential for metabolism, allowing organisms to convert food into usable energy. Without ATP, life as we know it would not be possible.