Final answer:
ATP is the central molecule in energy metabolism due to its structure and high-energy bonds. 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate is an intermediate in glycolysis and cannot serve the same function as ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
ATP has evolved as the central molecule in energy metabolism because it is a highly efficient carrier of chemical energy in cells. It is made up of a nucleotide with three phosphate groups attached. The high-energy bonds between the phosphate groups store the energy that can be readily released for cellular processes.
However, 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate cannot serve the same function as ATP because it does not have the necessary structure or high-energy bonds. 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate is an intermediate molecule in glycolysis, which is the breakdown of glucose to produce energy. It is phosphorylated to form ATP in a later step of glycolysis, but on its own, it does not have the capacity to function as the main energy carrier in cells.