1-6 ATP

Question 1

What is ATP?

Answer 1

• Adenine triphosphate is a nucleotide derivative and consists of ribose, adenine and three phosphate groups.

Question 2

How does ATP release energy?

Answer 2

• Energy is released when ATP is hydrolysed to form ADP and a phosphate molecule.
• This process is catalysed by ATP hydrolase.
• The energy comes from the bonds between the phosphate molecules.
• These bonds are very unstable and thus have a low activation energy.
• The breaking of these is quick and releases a considerable amount of energy.

Question 3

What can the inorganic phosphate be used for after ADP is hydrolysed?

Answer 3

• The inorganic phosphate can be used to phosphorylate other compounds, as a result making them more reactive.

Question 4

How can ATP be reformed?

Answer 4

• Condensation of ADP and inorganic phosphate catalysed by ATP synthase produces ATP during photosynthesis and respiration.

Question 5

What are the properties of ATP?

Answer 5

• ATP is an immediate source of energy and is more desirable to use than glucose as ATP can be broken down in a single step to release a manageable quantity of energy.
• ATP isn’t stored in large quantities as it can easily be reformed from ADP in seconds.
• ATP is used in a variety of different ways, these include, metabolic processes, movement, active transport, secretion and activation of molecules.