adenosine triphosphatase

Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) is an enzyme that breaks down adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a molecule found in all living cells that captures and releases chemical energy to fuel cellular processes. This energy is stored in the bonds between phosphate groups. When ATP is broken down, usually by removing the outer phosphate group through a process called hydrolysis, it converts to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and releases energy.123

This energy transfer is facilitated by enzymes that couple the release of energy from ATP to cellular activities. For example, the sodium-potassium pump is an ATPase that uses ATP hydrolysis to move sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane against their concentration gradients, a process known as primary active transport.34