The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is a nucleotide that serves as the primary energy carrier in all living organisms. It acts as the immediate source of energy for cellular processes.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: ATP is universally known as the "energy currency" of the cell. It stores energy in its high-energy phosphate bonds. When the terminal phosphate linkage is broken, energy is released to drive various endergonic (energy-consuming) reactions in the cell.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: ATP is primarily produced in the mitochondria through the process of cellular respiration (specifically oxidative phosphorylation). Hence, mitochondria are called the "powerhouses" of the cell. Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, not ATP production.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The body extensively uses the energy stored in ATP for mechanical work. Examples include muscle contraction, the beating of cilia and flagella, and the movement of chromosomes during cell division. ATP also powers transport work (pumping substances across membranes) and chemical work (synthesizing macromolecules).
Key Takeaway:
ATP is the energy currency of the cell, synthesized in the mitochondria, and is essential for performing mechanical, chemical, and transport work within the body.