ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some physico-chemical properties of the molecule named adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and to some of its derivatives-adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Of course, before tackling the bioenergetic aspects, some physico-chemical properties of ATP and those of some of its derivatives must be recalled. The complexation equilibria displace the equilibria obtained with other species in which ATP and ADP are engaged. Such species are notably organic molecules participating in some intermediary metabolisms. It is evident that the knowledge of the structural geometry of ATP molecules is important since enzymes involving them have active sites with which the ATP sites must exactly fit. Many biosynthetic reactions for which ATP provides the “driving force” do not proceed by loss of a single terminal phosphate group of ATP but rather by loss of two terminal phosphate groups, grouped in one piece named a pyrophosphate group with concomitant formation of AMP.
