ATP

Question 1

What does ATP stand for?

Answer 1

Adenine Triphosphate

Question 2

What is the function of ATP?

Answer 2

ATP is used as an immediate source of energy for biological processes

Question 3

What are the components of ATP?

Answer 3

A ribose sugar, adenine (nitrogenous base) and 3 phosphate groups. ATP is a nucleotide derivative meaning it has a similar structure to the nucleotides found in DNA and RNA.

Question 4

What are the two ATP reactions?

Answer 4

ATP is broken down via a hydrolysis reaction and then re-synthesised via a condensation reaction.

Question 5

Hydrolysis of ATP.

Answer 5

• water is added to ATP
• broken down into ADP and an inorganic phosphate (P_i)
• releases energy for use in cells

ATP + H₂O → ADP + P_i

Question 6

What enzyme catalyses the hydrolysis of ATP?

Answer 6

ATP hydrolase

Question 7

Condensation to reform ATP.

Answer 7

• a phosphate and ADP join
• water molecule will be released
• this process requires energy and traps chemical energy in the bond

ADP + P_i → ATP + H₂O

Question 8

What enzyme catalyses the condensation of ATP?

Answer 8

ATP synthase

Question 9

What can the inorganic phosphate do when released?

Answer 9

Can be added to other molecules to phosphorylate them which makes them more reactive.

Question 10

How does the properties of ATP link to its functions?

Answer 10

• hydrolysis of ATP releases a small amount of energy, meaning little energy is lost
• ATP is broken down in one step so energy is released quickly
• ATP is rapidly re-synthesised so that it is always readily available
• the inorganic phosphate released in hydrolysis can phosphorylate other compounds making them more reactive
• bonds between phosphate groups are unstable, have a low activation energy and are easily broken
• ATP is soluble so it can easily be transported around cells