What type of biological molecule is ATP?

• A. Carbohydrate
• B. Lipid
• C. Protein
• D. Nucleic acid

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate, which is a molecule that carries energy within cells.
2. Recognize that ATP is composed of three main components: a nitrogenous base (adenine), a sugar (ribose), and three phosphate groups.
3. Identify that the structure of ATP is similar to that of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
4. Recall that nucleic acids are one of the four major types of biological macromolecules, alongside carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
5. Conclude that ATP is classified as a nucleic acid because it is a nucleotide derivative, specifically involved in energy transfer within cells.