The scientific term for the cell's energy currency is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a nucleic acid derivative that stores energy within its high-energy phosphate bonds. Cells utilize ATP as a primary energy source for various biological processes, including muscle contraction, active transport, and biochemical reactions. The continuous synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP are essential for cellular metabolism, involving pathways such as cellular respiration and fermentation. Understanding ATP's role as an energy currency is fundamental in biochemistry and cellular biology.