Final answer:
ATP is the energy currency of the cell and drives cellular work. Cellular work includes mechanical work, transport work, and chemical work.
Step-by-step explanation:
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the energy currency of the cell. It is involved in driving cellular work, which can be categorized into three main types: mechanical work, transport work, and chemical work.
Mechanical work refers to the energy used in muscle contraction and movement. For example, ATP supplies the energy needed for muscle proteins to move and contract.
Transport work involves the movement of substances across cell membranes. This includes active transport, where ATP is used to change the conformation of transport proteins, allowing ions or molecules to move against their concentration gradients.
Chemical work is the energy required for cellular chemical reactions. ATP provides the energy needed for anabolic pathways, such as building complex molecules.