Energy & ATP Flashcards
What is the structure of ATP?
ATP molecule features three parts:
• Adenine ( Nitrogen containing organic base )
• Ribose
• Phosphates - A chain of three phosphate groups
How does ATP store energy?
- ATP is a nucleotide, it contains three phosphate groups.
- Bonds between the phosphate groups are unstable, and so have a low activation energy, which means they are easily broken.
- When broken, they will release a large amount of energy.
What reaction catalyses the breakdown of ATP?
ATP hydrolase
What is the reaction by which ATP is broken down?
Hydrolysis.
What is the formula for the reaction which breaks down ATP?
ATP + Water > ADP + Pi + E
What are the products of the breaking down of ATP?
ADP - Adenosine Di-phosphate
Pi - Inorganic Phosphate
E - Energy
What reaction catalyses the formation of ATP?
ATP synthase
What is the reaction by which ATP is formed?
Condensation
How can ATP be reformed?
- Reaction of forming ADP from ATP is reversible
* Adding an inorganic phosphate to ADP will re form ATP.
What three ways can the synthesis of ATP occur?
- Inside plant and animal cells during respiration.
- In chlorophyll containing plant cells during photosynthesis.
- In plant and animal cells when phosphate groups are transferred from donor molecules to ADP.
why is ATP a good immediate energy source?
- Each ATP molecule releases less energy than glucose molecules, the energy for the reactions can therefore be released in smaller more manageable quantities.
- The hydrolysis of ATP to ADP is a single reaction that releases immediate energy, the breakdown of glucose is a long series of reactions, and therefore takes longer for energy release.
What is a disadvantage of ATP over other energy sources?
ATP cannot be stored, and so has to be continuously made within the mitochondria of cells that need it.
How is ATP utilised in metabolic processes?
• ATP provides the energy needed to build up molecules from their basic units.
How is ATP utilised in movement?
• ATP provides the energy required for muscle contraction.
How is ATP utilised in active transport?
• ATP provides the energy to change the shape of carrier proteins in the plasma membrane, this allows molecules or ions to be moved against a concentration gradient.
