What is meant by the "tri" in the name adenosine triphosphate?

1 Answer
Jan 30, 2016

The "tri' in Adenosine triphosphate is the amount of phosphate atoms in the molecule.

Explanation:

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) has a molecular formular of C_10H_16N_5O_13P_3

As shown in the molecular formular and diagram bellow, the ATP molecule has three (which is "tri" in molecular naming) phosphate atoms which are covalently bonded to oxygen atoms.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Adenosintriphosphat_protoniertsvghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Adenosintriphosphat_protoniertsvg