1.6 ATP, Water & Inorganic Ions Flashcards
What is the role of ATP?
Release energy
What process produces ATP?
Respiration
What reaction hydrolyses ATP?
ATP (+ H2O) -> ADP + Pi
What reaction synthesises ATP?
ADP + Pi -> ATP (+ H2O)
What is the structure of ATP?
Ribose sugar
3 phosphate groups
Base
Why is ATP a good energy source in a cell?
Little energy released from each so cell doesn’t overheat
Releases energy immediately
Rapidly resynthesised
Does not leave cells
Can phosphorylate other compounds making them more reactive
Why is water important in biology?
Makes up large proportion of all living bodies
What reactions does water take part in?
Hydrolysis
What is a metabolite?
A substance that takes part in chemical reactions
What is a solvent?
Able to dissolve other substances meaning chemical reactions can occur
Why is relevant that H bonds form between water molecules?
Cohesion
Why is cohesion important for organisms?
Creates surface tension so weight is supported when living on water surfaces
Why is cohesion important in plants?
Creates columns of water that can move in the transpiration stream
What is relevant about waters latent heat of vaporisation?
High due to H bonding
Provides cooling effect through evaporation
What is relevant about waters heat capacity?
High
Buffers changes in tempertaure
Name 6 inorganic ions important to living things.
Fe2+, K+, Na+, Cl-, nitrates, phosphates
Why are iron ions important to living things?
Binds to oxyhaemoglobin to transport it around the body
Why are potassium ions important to living things?
Regulates action potentials and return to resting potential in neurones
Why are sodium ions important to living things?
Regulates action potentials and return to resting potential in neurones
Involved in water reabsorption in the kidneys
Why are chloride ions important to living things?
Involved in inhibition of action potentials in synapses
Why are nitrates important to living things?
Needed in plants to make proteins
Why are phosphates important to living things?
Make RNA and DNA
