Video Transcript
Why is ATP referred to as the universal energy currency? (A) ATP is used as a source of energy for biological processes in the cells of all
known life-forms. (B) ATP removes and stores energy from biological reactions in all living and
nonliving systems. (C) ATP was the original source of energy in all primitive life-forms. (D) ATP drives biological processes in all humans.
ATP is a molecule that stores energy in living organisms. It is referred to as the universal energy currency. Let’s look at the answer choices given and figure out why this is true.
Answer choice (A) seems to be the correct choice because ATP is used as an energy
source in all known life-forms. Let’s make sure this is the correct answer choice by looking at the remaining choices
and eliminating them.
We can eliminate answer choice (B) because ATP is not used in nonliving systems. As an example, water stores potential energy when it’s on top of a hill, and this
isn’t in the form of ATP. We can also eliminate answer choices (C) and (D). Although both primitive life-forms and humans alike use ATP, this isn’t what makes it
universal. ATP is used in all forms of life, and that’s why it’s considered universal.
Therefore, answer choice (A) is correct. ATP is used as a source of energy for biological processes in the cells of all known
life-forms.
