Cellular Respiration - The Metabolism + ATP

ATP stands for

adenosine triphosphate

What type of molecule is atp

nucleotide coenzyme

Why is atp a nucleotide

• contains a base (adenine) a sugar (deoxyribose) and a phosphate group - therefore it is a nucleotide

Why is ATP a coenzyme 

• a coenzyme is a small, organic, non protein part which allows an enzyme to work

• ATP does this by transferring its terminal phosphate group activating/changing function of coenzyme 

ATP is a universal Energy Carrier

• almost all cells use ATP in this way

• it transfers energy from energy yielding reactions to energy consuming processes

ATP packages energy in bundles

• releases energy in discrete and usable amounts

• ATP → ADP + P, this breakdown of bond releases a specific amount of energy a ‘bundle’

• enzymes are designed to use exact amount of atp’s 

• allows efficient energy transfer preventing waste

  • xs energy may be released as heat which can damage cells

ATP is an Energy store compound 

• high energy bonds (esp one on terminal phosphate) 

• release energy when broken down

• hydrolysis is exergonic 

• atp stores potential energy that can be accessed when needed by transferring is terminal p group by hydrolysis 

Where does atp act as an energy donor

• muscle contraction, flagella

• protein synthesis, dna replication and synthesis of biomolecules

Define Metabolism

Sum of biochemical reactions which take place in an organism

→ turn raw materials and stored potential energy into forms that can be used by the organism

Define metabolic pathway

• series or sequence of enzyme controlled reactions

• this ensures little waste and enough building materials as at each stage the reaction is regulated according to the conditions

Roles of Enzymes in Metabolic control 

• enzymes control reactions by allosteric inhibition (negative feedback) or allosteric

• regulate energy releasing pathways

Anabolism vs Catabolism

Anabolic is synthetic (building up) → photosynthesis

Catabolic is degrative (Breaking down) → respiration