4b. Biochemistry - ATP production Flashcards
What does ATP stand for?
Adenosine triphosphate
What is ATP?
The energy currency of the body
(the body has to make it before it can use it)
Captures energy released by reactions in the body
How is ATP structured?
3 phosphate groups
Where is the captured energy stored?
In high energy oxygen-phosphate bonds
What happens when water is added to ATP?
One phosphate group is removed, releasing energy via hydrolysis reaction
Which mineral is always present in ATP?
Magnesium
What function does magnesium play in ATP?
Binds to phosphate groups
Holds the molecule in a slightly curved shape that aids the loss of phosphate - releasing energy
Why does ATP need magnesium?
Without it, ATP isn’t biologically active so it’s difficult to release energy
What is a symptom of magnesium deficiency?
Low energy
In which foods can magnesium be found?
Avocado
Green veg
Nuts
Seeds
What are the functions of ATP?
Capture energy Drive body reactions Fuel movement Transport substances across membranes (active transport) Cell division
What is the function of energy carriers in ATP production?
Temporarily capture the energy released so it can be converted into ATP later
What are the two main energy carriers?
NAD
FAD
Which minerals and amino acids are needed to make NAD?
Vit B3
Aspartic acid
Tryptophan
What does NAD become once it’s trapped energy?
NADH
traps a hydrogen
Which vitamin is needed to make FAD?
Vit B2
What does FAD become once it’s trapped energy?
FADH2
traps 2x hydrogen
How do NAD and FAD trap energy?
They sweep in and steal electrons and a hydrogen (or two) from glucose (or fats)
What is the process of getting ATP from carbohydrates called?
Cellular respiration
What are the steps involved in cellular respiration?
- Glycolysis
- Formation of Acetyl CoA
- Krebs cycle
- Electron transport chain
What happens during glycolysis?
Glucose is split into 2 pyruvates
Where does glycolysis occur?
In the cytosol
What energy is trapped during glycolysis?
4 ATP (-2 for the production) 2 NADH
Which micronutrients are needed for glycolysis?
Magnesium
Vit B3
Does glycolysis require O2?
No
What happens during glycolysis if O2 is present?
NADH is recycled in the electron transport chain and turned into ATP
What happens during glycolysis if O2 isn’t present?
NADH can’t be recycled but reacts with pyruvate, turning it into lactic acid
(fermentation)
How is Acetyl CoA formed?
Pyruvates enter the mitochondria inner wall
What is essential to help the pyruvates enter the mitochondria?
Vit B5
carrier molecule
Which nutrients are needed to help the pyruvate lose a carbon molecule?
Vit B1
Lipoic acid
How many carbons are in Acetyl CoA?
2
What energy is trapped during the process of making Acetyl CoA?
2 NADH
What is the Krebs Cycle?
Series of reactions where Acetyl CoA is modified by enzymes to release as much energy as possible
What is the Krebs Cycle also known as?
Citric Acid Cycle
Where does the Krebs Cycle occur?
In the mitochondrial matrix
Which nutrients are required for the Krebs Cycle to happen?
Magnesium
Manganese
Iron
Vits B1, B2, B3
What can block the enzymes during the Krebs Cycle?
Heavy metals - aluminium, mercury
How much energy is made during the Krebs Cycle?
2 ATP
6 NADH
2 FADH2