Question

how is atp recycled in a cell

Answer 1

When the cell needs energy, it takes the ATP, converts it to a ADP and phosphate and uses the energy. Rather than disguarding the ADP and phosphate, they travel back to the mitochondria where they are recycled in respiration to produce another ATP.

Answer 2

In ATP stands for tri because it has three phophates. It can release a phosphate (creating ADP - di phosphate) to release energy. Visa-versa, ADP can pick up a phosphate and become ATP, storing the energy in the bond that locks the new phosphate on.

ADP + P + energy --> ATP --> ADP + P + energy

When the cell needs energy, it takes the ATP, converts it to a ADP and phosphate and uses the energy. Rather than disguarding the ADP and phosphate, they travel back to the mitochondria where they are recycled in respiration to produce another ATP.