ATP

Question 1

What is ATP needed for?

Answer 1

Synthesis- of proteins
Transport- pumping molecules across cell surface membranes by active transport
Movement- protein fibres in muscle cells that cause muscle contraction

Question 2

Adenosine triphosphate is made up of?

Answer 2

3 phosphate groups
Pentose sugar ribose
And nitrogenous base

Question 3

How does ATP produce energy

Answer 3

Energy is produced when a phosphate group breaks of by a hydrolysis reaction.

ATP + H2O —-> ADP + P + energy

This process happens simultaneously with energy requiring reactions and are said to be coupled.

Question 4

Properties of ATP

Answer 4

• Small: moves easily in and out of cells
• Water soluble: energy requiring process happen in aqueous environments
• easily regenerated: can be recharged with energy
• releases energy in small quantities: so energy is not wasted
• contain bonds between phosphate groups: large enough for cellular reactions but not so large for energy to be lost by heat

Question 5

Instability of phosphate bonds in ATP

Answer 5

Are not good for long term energy stores. Fats and carbohydrates are better as energy released in the breakdown of these molecules create ATP. This occurs by attaching phosphate groups to ADP. This is called phosphorylation. This is a condensation reaction.

Question 6

Why is ATP a good immediate energy store

Answer 6

As ATP is rapidly reformed by phosphorylation of ADP. This is constantly happening in living cells.