A1 - ATP

Question 1

Explain how ATP stores
energy

Answer 1

-ATP is a nucleotide + consists of an adenine base, ribose sugar and 3 phosphate molecules
-bonds between phosphate groups are unstable > low a.e. so when they’re broken they release energy
-ATP hydrolase catalyses the removal of the terminal phosphate group for ADP by hydrolysis

Question 2

Describe how ATP is synthesised

Answer 2

-ATP synthase catalyses the reaction to add an inorganic phosphate group to ADP to produce ATP
-condensation reaction

Question 3

Describe the role of ATP
in biological processes.

Answer 3

-ATP is an immediate energy source, that cannot be stored in large quantities, it is formed when required mainly in mitochondria. ATP is required for:
- metabolic processes > builds macromolecules from their basic units
- movement > muscle contraction > provide energy for filaments of muscle to slide past one another > shorten overall length of muscle fibre
- active transport > change shape of carrier proteins in plasma membranes >molecules could be moved against a conc gradient
- secretion > from lysosomes necessary for secretion of cells
- activation of molecules >phosphorylate other compounds to make them more reactive