What are the differences between ATP and ADP?

To make things a little simpler, think of ATP as having 4 parts: the A (adenosine) and 3 P's (the phosphates). The energy is not stored in the A or the P's, but in the BONDS between the molecules. An ATP is kind of like a charged battery. read more

ADP can be converted back into ATP so that it can be used again. Energy is required to do this, but the but there is an overall gain in energy when the process occurs. ATP is constantly being used by the body, so it needs to be replaced on a regular basis. read more

There are two principle, correlated differences between ATP and ADP: Number of consecutively bonded phosphate groups; Energy Potential; To understand the first, you need only read the terms stripped of their acronyms: Adenosine TRIphosphate, and Adenosine DIphosphate. read more