ATP and ADP

Why is ATP a nucleotide derivative? (State the structure of ATP)

It is composed of a ribose sugar, adenine and 3 inorganic phosphate groups.

State the structure of ADP.

Ribose sugar, adenine base, 2 inorganic phosphate groups.

What makes ATP a suitable source of energy in cells?

1. Releases energy instantaneously, in a single step
2. Releases energy in small suitable amounts (as the requirement is small, energy is not wasted)
3. Can phosphorylate other compounds, making them more reactive
4. Can be rapidly resynthesised
5. Does not leave the cell so cannot be lost. (ATP cannot be transferred around)

What is the condensation reaction for ATP?

ADP + P → ATP (+H2O)

What is the hydrolysis reaction for ADP + P?

ATP (+H2O) → ADP + P

What are the similarities between ATP and a DNA nucleotide?

•Pentose sugar

•Nitrogenous base

•Phosphate group

•OH on carbon-3

•Phosphodiester bonds between sugar and phosphate group

What are the differences between ATP and a DNA nucleotide?

•ATP has ribose, DNA has deoxyribose

•DNA can have A,T,C,G; ATP only A

•DNA has 1 phosphate, ATP has 3 (ADP has 2)