Final answer:
Phosphate recombines with ADP in a phosphorylation process to form ATP, which is used as a direct source of energy by cells. This transformation requires an energy investment and is essential for various cellular activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
When energy is needed by a cell, a phosphate molecule recombines with ADP (adenosine diphosphate) in a process known as phosphorylation. During phosphorylation, a phosphate group is added to ADP, and the result is the formation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is a high-energy molecule that cells use as a direct source of energy.
This reaction requires energy investment and is essential for many cellular processes, including muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and chemical synthesis. The bond that forms between the phosphate group and ADP, known as a high-energy bond, is crucial as its later breaking during hydrolysis releases significant amounts of energy that can do cellular work.