ATP Flashcards
What is energy needed for within the body?
- keeping warm
- muscle contractions
- chemical reactions
- body processes eg. cell growth, respiration
What does ATP stand for?
adenosine tri-phosphate
What is the structure of ATP?
- ribose sugar
- 2 rings of adenine (purine base)
- 3 phosphate groups
What happens to the third phosphate group during ATP hydrolysis?
The covalent bond between phosphate groups has a low activation energy, which means it can easily be broken. When it breaks, it releases a useful amount of energy with little lost as heat
What is the equation for ATP hydrolysis?
ATP + H2O -> ADP (adenosine diphosphate) + inorganic phosphate + energy released
What enzyme is used in ATP hydrolysis?
ATP hydrolase
What is the equation for ATP condensation?
ADP + inorganic phosphate + energy -> ATP + H2O
What enzyme is used in ATP condensation?
ATP synthase
Why is ATP a more suitable energy source than glucose?
- releases energy on hydrolysis, this is only a 1 step reaction compared to several reactions in respiration
- can be readily moved/stored/broken down when needed
- allows energy to be released in useful amounts
- reversible reaction
When is ATP resynthesised in cells?
During respiration or photosynthesis
How is the hydrolysis of ATP used in cells?
- provides energy for reactions
- adds phosphate to other substances to make them more reactive
What is the inorganic phosphate used for after hydrolysis?
phosphorylates other compounds, making them more reactive