ATP and ions

Question 1

describe the structure of ATP

Answer 1

• 1 nitrogen containing base - adenine
• 1 ribose sugar
• 3 phosphate groups

Question 2

explain how energy is released from ATP

Answer 2

• ATP hydolysis
• the bonds between the phosphates group have low activation energy so therefore these bonds are unstable and easily broken
• when they are broken they release “small packets” of energy

Question 3

what is the reaction called that breakdowns ATP to ADP and what enzyme catalyses it

Answer 3

hydrolysis

ATP hyrdolase

Question 4

explain the process of synthesis of ATP

Answer 4

ATP is resynthesised by the condensation of ADP and Pi. This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme ATP synthase during photosynthesis, or during respiration.

Question 5

give 2 reasons why ATP is better as an immediate energy source than glucose

Answer 5

• the energy is releases in small, manageable quantaties. This reduces the heat released that would denature proteins
• the hydolysis of ATP is a single step reaction that releases energy immediately

Question 6

explain 3 cellular processes that ATP is used in

Answer 6

• metabolic processes - ATP provides the energy needed to make polymers from monomers
• movement - ATP provides the energy for muscle contraction
• active transport - ATP provides the energy to change the shape of carrieer proteins in the cell surface membrane which allows molecules to move against their concentration gradients