ATP

ATP

needed for:

• anabolic reactions (building larger molecules from smaller molecules)

• to move substances across cell membrane/ move substances within the cell

• known as universal energy currency

• a phosphorylated nucleotide } adenosine triphosphate
  -adenine, ribose, 3 phosphorylated groups

energy release

• ATP hydrolysed → form ADP + inorganic phosphate molecule
  -process catalysed by ATP hydrolase
  -energy comes from bonds btwn. phosphate molecules
  -bonds are v. unstable → hv. low activation energy → breaking is quick → fast + easy energy release

features + benefits

• hydrolysis is easy + quick → immediate source of energy, more desirable than glucose since ATP hydrolysed in single step → releases small manageable amount of energy

• soluble → can be transported to diff. areas of cell for energy release

• stable molecule → doesn’t break down unless enzyme present → no energy wastage

atp synthesis

• organisms can’t build up large stores of energy bc. could lead to instability + cell dmg. → needs to make atp

• formed when ADP combines with Pi group by ATP synthase
  -condensation reaction
  -energy-requiring

• can be made by substrate-linked phosphorylation/ chemiosmosis