energy currency and fuels

Question 1

What does ATP stand for?

Answer 1

Adenosine triphosphate

Question 2

What is the type of reaction when ATP is broken down?

Answer 2

Ectothermic reaction (heat is released)

Question 3

How is ATP broken down?

Answer 3

1) the body needs energy so enzyme ATP is released and breaks down the ATP
2) it produces ADP and PI and energy which is released through an ectothermic reaction
3) the energy is used for muscle contraction

Question 4

How long does ATP last for?

Answer 4

2 seconds of maximal exercise

Question 5

What is ATP resynthesis?

Answer 5

The ADP and PI are put back together again to form ATP to be broken down again which takes place in energy systems

Question 6

What are the 4 fuels for ATP resynthesis?

Answer 6

1) phosphocreatine
2) glycogen/glucose
3) triglycerides/fatty acids
4) proteins

Question 7

What are the features of phosphocreatine? (5)

Answer 7

• resynthesis ATP in the first 10 secs of max exercise (100m, bolt)
• PCr stores are limited
• stored in the muscle cell alongside ATP for rapid access
• takes 30s to replace 50% of PCr and 3mins to replace 100%
• energy source in the ATP-PC system

Question 8

What are the features of glycogen?

Answer 8

• stored in the muscle and liver (emergency reserve)
• broken down into glucose first
• can be used in the presence and absent of oxygen
• main energy source for the lactic acid system

Question 8

What are the features of triglycerides?

Answer 8

• provides more than twice as much energy than glycogen
• used during aerobic based activities
• used in the aerobic system
• fats can’t be used during anaerobic exercise, they need oxygen to break down
  When glycogen runs out (hitting the wall) muscles go into spasm and fats can’t be broken down

Question 9

What are the features of protein?

Answer 9

• last energy source to be used (emergency)
• only used when glycogen and fat stores are depleted
• around 5-10% of body’s energy needs
• growth and repair of muscles fibres