ATP

How is ATP produced in cells?

A cell can't get its energy directly from glucose so in respiration the energy released from glucose is used to make ATP. Once made, ATP diffuses to the part of the cell that needs energy

ATP provides a cell with energy

What is ATP?

ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate and is an immediate energy source for cells.

Why is ATP considered a nucleotide derivative?

ATP has a structure similar to nucleotides found in DNA and RNA, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and phosphate groups.

What are the three components of ATP?

ATP consists of a nitrogenous base (adenine), a pentose sugar (ribose), and three phosphate groups.

How is ATP broken down and re-synthesised?

using a water molecule a hydrolysis reaction is used to break down ATP and is re-synthesised using a condensation reaction where a water molecule is released

What happens to ATP when it is hydrolyzed?

When water is added to ATP, it breaks down into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate which is another way of saying a single phosphate (Pi)

What is the role of ATP hydrolase?

ATP hydrolase catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP, breaking it down to release energy since the energy in ATP is stored in high energy bonds between the phosphate groups, the breaking of this bond releases energy

What is the significance of the phosphate bonds in ATP?

The bonds between the phosphate groups in ATP are unstable and have low activation energy, allowing for quick energy release.

What is the function of inorganic phosphate released during ATP hydrolysis?

The inorganic phosphate can phosphorylate other compounds, making them more reactive.

How is ATP re-synthesised?

When a phosphate group (an inorganic phosphate) and ADP join, a water molecule is released.

What is the role of ATP synthase?

ATP synthase catalyzes the formation of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate during photosynthesis or respiration.

What is the main advantage of ATP as an energy source?

ATP provides a quick and readily available source of energy for cellular processes.

What feeatures of ATP allow for ATP to work well as an immediate energy store

Hydrolysis of ATP releases a small amount of energy, meaning little energy is lost as heat

ATP is broken down in one step, meaning energy is released quickly

ATP is rapidly re-synthesised so that ATP is always readily available

The inorganic phosphate from ATP hydrolysis can phosphorylate other compounds, which makes them more reactive

The bonds between the phosphate groups are unstable, have a low activation energy and are easily broken

ATP is soluble, so it can easily transported around cells

What is the energy storage capacity of ATP?

ATP is not a long-term energy store; it is used for immediate energy needs.

What is the significance of the term 'high energy bonds' in ATP?

High energy bonds refer to the bonds between phosphate groups that release significant energy when broken.