ATP

What are autotrophs?

Organisms that make their own food (plants).

What are heterotrophs?

Organisms that obtain food by consuming other living things (animals).

Does ATP make polymers?

Never, it's an independent single molecule.

What does it mean for ATP to be a nucleotide derivative?

It comes from a nucleotide.

What’s the equation for aerobic respiration?

Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + ATP

Can ATP be stored? Why?

No as it has an unstable bond and it's a 1 step process for the energy to be released.

What are some of the properties of glucose?

- Contains the energy for ATP

- Takes too long to release energy + releases too much in one go (unlike ATP)

- But can be stored

What does ATP stand for and therefore consist of?

Adenosine Triphosphate and consists of 3 phosphate groups, ribose sugar and adenine.

Why is ATP an immediate source of energy?

Only one bond needs to be broken and that single break releases lots of energy.

How does ATP release energy?

The hydrolysis of one of the phosphate groups where it then produces ADP (Adenine diphosphate) + Pi (inorganic phosphate) and releases energy.

What enzyme is involved in the condensation of ADP into ATP? What reaction is it?

• ATP synthase

• Endergonic reaction (energy required).

What enzyme is involved in the hydrolysis of ATP into ADP? What reaction is it?

• ATP hydrolase

• Exergonic (energy released).

Name some properties of ATP.

- Releases energy in small manageable amounts + rapidly.

- One single bond broken so an immediate energy source NOT store.

- Provides energy for (endergonic) reactions.

- Always readily available since it's rapidly able to be reformed again.

- Can't cross plasma membranes so remain within cells so is always available to act as energy source for cell.

- Requires carrier proteins to cross the membrane.

What are some roles of ATP?

- Metabolic processes- anabolic reactions

- Movement- muscle contraction

- Active transport

- Secretion of products from cells

- Activation of molecules- phosphorylation