Which of the following statements correctly describes the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cellular energetics?
- A) ATP functions primarily as a long-term energy storage molecule comparable to glycogen and triacylglycerols.
- B) The phosphorylation of ADP to form ATP is an exergonic process that occurs spontaneously without energy input.
- C) ATP transfers metabolic energy to cellular reactions by detaching and donating its adenine nitrogenous base.
- D) The hydrolysis of terminal phosphoanhydride bonds releases free energy that can be coupled to drive endergonic reactions.
