Importance of ATP

Question 1

ATP

Answer 1

A nucleotide and the major currency of the cell, used for all reactions in all cells. It’s inert, soluble, easily transported, and releases energy efficiently.
3 phosphate groups, ribose sugar, adenosine

Question 2

What does ATPase do?

Answer 2

Hydrolyses the terminal bond between middle and furthest away from ribose phosphate which releases energy in useable amounts so little is wasted as heat.

Question 3

How is ATP reformed?

Answer 3

Phosphorylation when a phosphate group is added to ADP by condensation (ADP + Pi > ATP)

Question 4

Where does ATP synthesis take place?

Answer 4

Internal membranes of mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Question 5

Describe the process of ATP synthesis.

Answer 5

Protons must pass through ATP synthetase, found in the stalked particles of inner membranes. This flow of protons generates an electrochemical gradient, a source of energy. This drives the phosporylation of ADP to form ATP. This is chemiosmosis.

Question 6

Chemiosmosis

Answer 6

The flow of protons down an electrochemical gradient through ATP synthetase, providing energy to synthesis ATP by phosphorylation.

Question 7

In mitochondria, where do protons flow?

Answer 7

From the intermembrane space into the matrix.

Question 8

In chloroplasts, where do protons flow?

Answer 8

Across the thylakoid space into the stroma.

Question 9

Name the structures in mitochondria.

Answer 9

Intermembrane space, matrix, crista, outer membrane, and stalked particles.

Question 10

Name the structures in chloroplast.

Answer 10

Thylakoid space, stalked particles, outer membrane, thylakoid membrane, and stroma.

Question 11

Where are protons pumped across a membrane by proton pumps in mitochondria and chloroplast?

Answer 11

Mitochondria - crista
Chloroplast - thylakoid membrane

Question 12

Where do a high concentration of protons build up in mitochondria and chloroplast?

Answer 12

Mitochondria - intermembrane space
Chloroplast - thylakoid space

Question 13

Where do protons flow down a concentration gradient to get energy for ATP synthesis in mitochondria and chloroplast?

Answer 13

Mitochondria - stalked particles
Chloroplast - stalked particles

Question 14

Where do free electrons get taken by an electron acceptor in mitochondria and chloroplast?

Answer 14

Mitochondria - matrix
Chloroplast - stroma

Question 15

Where is the ETC located in the mitochondria and chloroplast?

Answer 15

Mitochondria - inner membrane
Chloroplast - thylakoid membrane

Question 16

What generates a proton gradient?

Answer 16

Proton pumps and electron carriers

Question 17

Describe the process of chemiosmosis.

Answer 17

High energy electrons pass from electron carrier to electron carrier, providing energy to proton pumps
Protons pumped into intermembrane space
Proton gradient allows protons to pass back into matrix/stroma via ATP synthetase
Electrochemical gradient provides energy for phosphorylation of ADP to ATP

Question 18

Describe the end of ETC.

Answer 18

A flow of protons pass through ATP synthetase, generating energy for ATP synthesis by oxidative phosphorylation and oxygen becomes the final electron acceptor.