Chapter 3.14 - ATP Flashcards
What four main types of activity requires energy for cells?
- Synthesis, large molecules like DNA
- Transport, molecules against conc gradient
- Movement, muscle contraction
- Secretion, of substances from cells, releasing hormones from glands
What is ATP?
It is the energy-carrying molecule that provides the energy to drive many processes inside living cells
What is ATP composed of?
- Adenine - nitrogenous base
- Ribose - pentose(5 carbon) sugar
- Phosphates - 3 phosphate groups
How does ATP release energy?
Through hydrolysis, releasing the produces ADP and an inorganic phosphate
- This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme ATP hydrolase and releases energy for use in cells
How is ATP reformed?
Through condensation, when ADP and an inorganic phosphate group reattaches, a water molecule is released
- This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme ATP synthase, this process requires energy and traps chemical energy in the bond
What are the properties of ATP?
- Small
- Water soluble
- Contains bonds between phosphate groups with intermediate energy
- Releases energy in small quantities
- Easily regenerated
- Unstable bonds between phosphate groups
How is ATP suited to carry out its function by being small?
It enters, leaves, and moves within cells easily
How is ATP suited to carry out its function by being water soluble?
Can easily be transported around cells and energy requiring processes can happen in aqueous environments
How is ATP suited to carry out its function by having bonds between phosphates with intermediate energy?
The energy release by hydrolysis is large enough to be useful for cellular reaction but not so late that energy is wasted as heat
How is ATP suited to carry out its function by releasing energy in small quantities?
The quantities are suitable to most cellular needs, so that energy is not wasted as heat
How is ATP suited to carry out its function by being easily regenerated?
ATP is rapidly re-synthesised meaning that ATP is always readily available
How is ATP suited to carry out its function by having unstable bonds between phosphate groups?
They have low activation energy and are easily broken
