What nucleotide is mainly involved in energy metabolism and is used to store energy?

Adenosine triphosphate, commonly known as ATP, plays a crucial role in energy metabolism as it serves as the primary energy carrier in all living cells. ATP stores energy in its high-energy phosphate bonds, which can be broken to release energy for various cellular processes, such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and biochemical reactions. When ATP is hydrolyzed, it converts to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate, releasing energy that cells can utilize.

This nucleotide is specifically designed for energy storage and transfer, making it the most relevant choice for the question at hand. Its structure, containing three phosphate groups, allows ATP to quickly release energy when needed, making it integral for metabolic processes.

Other options listed do not have the primary function of storing energy. Guanosine diphosphate (GDP) is involved in energy transfer as well, but it is not the main energy carrier. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) functions mainly as a signaling molecule and is not primarily involved in energy metabolism. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is essential for genetic information storage and does not play a role in energy storage. Therefore, ATP stands out as the key nucleotide