Nucleotides, ATP, Glycolysis, and Nucleic Acids — Study Notes 5

Nucleotide

Organic component with three structures: a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; the body's energy currency, composed of adenosine (adenine + ribose) plus three phosphate groups.

ATP Energy Release

Energy is released when a phosphate bond (specifically between the second and third phosphate groups) is broken via hydrolysis by ATPases, converting ATP to ADP + P_i + energy.

Equation for ATP Hydrolysis

\mathrm{ATP \rightarrow ADP + P_i + \text{energy}}

Phosphorylation

The transfer of a phosphate from ATP to another molecule, activating it. Carried out by kinases.

Kinases

Enzymes that transfer a phosphate group from ATP to another molecule, causing phosphorylation.

ATPases

Enzymes that hydrolyze ATP to release energy by breaking a phosphate bond.

GTP (Guanosine Triphosphate)

Another nucleotide involved in energy transport.

cAMP (Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate)

A second messenger in signaling pathways, especially in endocrine signaling.

Cellular Processes Requiring ATP

Muscle contraction, beating of cilia, active transport, and synthesis reactions.

Glycolysis

The process where glucose is split into pyruvate, producing a net of 2 ATP per glucose under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Anaerobic Conditions (Glycolysis)

Pyruvate is converted to lactate.

Aerobic Conditions (Glycolysis & Beyond)

Pyruvate enters the mitochondria for further energy production, yielding up to about 30 ATP per glucose.

Mitochondria

The 'ATP powerhouses' responsible for the majority of ATP production through aerobic respiration.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Double-stranded nucleic acid with deoxyribose sugar and bases A, T, G, C. Encodes hereditary information.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

Single-stranded nucleic acid with ribose sugar and bases A, U, G, C. Participates in protein synthesis.

Building Blocks of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides.

Building Blocks of Lipids

Glycerol + three fatty acids (forming triglycerides).

Building Blocks of Proteins

Amino acids.

Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides.

Dehydration Synthesis

A reaction that joins small molecules together by removing water to form a bond.

Hydrolysis

The reverse process of dehydration synthesis; a reaction where water is used to break a bond.

Four Most Common Elements in Living Matter

\text{C, H, N, O}