ATP/PC

Question 1

what is ATP

Answer 1

• adenosine triphosphate
• currency of energy

Question 2

What is phosphocreatine

Answer 2

An energy rich phosphate compound found in the sarcoplasm of muscle cells

Question 3

What is the ATP-PC system

Answer 3

• Occurs without the presence of oxygen
• Provides energy for High intensity, Short duration bouts of exercise
• Can be seen in power and strength forms of training.
• Can supply energy for 5-8 seconds before complete exhaustion
• Activated at the onset of activity, regardless of intensity

Question 4

Give an example of when the ATP PC system may be used

Answer 4

jumping, sprinting, throwing + in games of football etc

Question 5

site of the ATP/PC system

Answer 5

sarcoplasm

Question 6

Describe how the ATP-PC system works

Answer 6

1) ATP broken down into ADP + P + energy catalysed by ATPase ATP–> ADP + P + energy
2) This occurs at maximal intensity (95%+) and after 2-3 seconds fuel stores are depleted
3) High ADP stores will trigger the release of creatine kinase.
4) creatine kinase will anaerobically break down phosphocreatine (PC) into phosphate (P) + creatine (C) +energy (exo) PC –> P+ C+ energy
5) The PC is needed for providing a high power of contractions
6) This is a up to 8 second process and is at 90% intensity
7) There is then the resynthesis of ATP: ADP + P+ energy –> ATP (endo)

Question 7

How efficient is the system (energy yield)

Answer 7

• PC:ATP
• 1:1

Question 8

What are the +ves of the ATP/PC system

Answer 8

• No delay for oxygen
• PC readily available in muscle cell
• Simple and rapid breakdown of PC and resynthesis ofn ATP
• Provides energy for very high intensity activities
• No fatiguing by depletion, no fatiguing by- products + fast recovery of system

Question 9

What are the -ves of the ATP/PC system

Answer 9

• Low effeciency/ATP yield
• Small PC yield lead to rapid fatigue/depletion after 8-10 seconds