Energy transfer in plants and animals are in the form of

1. Analyze the question The question asks which molecule carries and transfers energy in living cells, in both plants and animals.

2. Explain the concept Cells need energy for activities like muscle contraction, active transport, and synthesis of molecules. Energy is released from food (e.g., glucose) during respiration, but cells can't use it directly. It is stored temporarily in a molecule called ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), which is called the "energy currency" of the cell.

ATP is made of:

• Adenine (a nitrogenous base)
• Ribose (a sugar)
• Three phosphate groups

Energy is stored in the bonds between the phosphate groups. When the last phosphate is removed by hydrolysis, energy is released:

ATP → ADP + Pi + energy

In respiration, ADP is converted back to ATP:

ADP + Pi + energy → ATP

In plants, ATP is also produced during the light stage of photosynthesis and then used in the dark stage to make sugars.

3. Go through the options

• A. DNA: Carries genetic information. It does not transfer energy.
• B. ATP: The universal energy carrier in both plants and animals. ✔
• C. GTP: It does carry energy in some specific reactions (e.g., protein synthesis, the Krebs cycle), but it is not the general energy transfer molecule of the cell.
• D. RNA: Involved in protein synthesis (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA), not energy transfer.

4. Answer The correct option is B. ATP.

5. Exam tip Remember: ATP = "A Terrific Power-pack." Whenever you see "energy transfer," "energy currency," or "energy carrier" in JAMB Biology, think ATP first. Also remember that DNA and RNA are for information, while ATP is for energy.