Final answer:
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the molecule that provides energy to molecular motors for their functions. It acts as the cellular energy currency, releasing energy when its bonds are broken to power various cellular activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecule that provides energy to molecular motors for their functions is adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. ATP is a small, relatively simple molecule, crucial to cellular processes, which stores potential energy within its bonds. When these bonds are broken, ATP releases a quick burst of energy that can be harnessed for various cellular activities, such as powering muscle contractions, transporting materials across cell membranes, and driving the synthesis of macromolecules.
ATP can be likened to a cellular currency, similar to how money facilitates transactions in daily life. It is utilized to perform a wide array of energy-requiring cellular reactions and is the prime source of usable energy for cells.