ATP Flashcards
What is ATP?
ATP or Adenine Tri Phosphate is a nucleotide derivative which is an immediate source of energy for biological processes.
Why is ATP important for metabolic reactions?
It is important for metabolic reactions in cells as they must have a constant, steady supply of ATP.
What does ATP contain?
ATP contains 3 phosphate ions that play a significant role in energy transfer and this is essential to metabolism ( which is all the chemical reactions that take place in a cell )
What consists of the ATP structure?
It is comprised of:
- Adenine, a nitrogen base ( meaning a base that contains nitrogen )
- Ribose ( a pentose sugar )
- 3 inorganic phosphate groups
Why are the phosphate groups described as inorganic?
They are described as inorganic as they do not contain carbon atoms, for this reason, the symbol to represent this is a P for phosphate and i for inorganic- Pi .
When is ATP made?
ATP is made during respiration from ADP, adenosine diphosphate, by the addition of an inorganic phosphate via a condensation reaction and using the enzyme ATP synthase.
How can ATP be hydrolyzed and how is it possible?
ATP can be hydrolysed into ADP + Pi using enzyme ATP hydrolyse. This can be done by breaking one of the bonds between the inorganic groups in a hydrolysis reaction, a small amount of energy is released to the surroundings which can be used in chemical reactions.
How does the hydrolysis relate to ATP being an immediate source of energy?
As only one bond has to be hydrolyzed to release energy.
How can ATP also transfer energy?
ATP can also transfer energy to different compounds. The inorganic phosphate released during the hydrolysis of ATP can be bonded onto different compounds to make them more reactive. This is known as phosphorylation, and this happens to glucose at the start of respiration to make it more reactive.
Explain further the function of ATP and how it releases energy in small, manageable amounts so no energy is wasted.
This means that cells do not over heat from wasted heat energy and cells are less likely to run out from resources. In comparison to glucose, this would release large amounts of energy that could result in wasted energy.
Explain further the function of ATP and it is small and soluble to easily transport around the cell.
ATP can move around the cytoplasm with ease to provide energy for chemical reactions within the cell. This is a property ATP has in common with glucose.
Explain further the function of ATP and how only one bond is broken/hydrolysed to release energy which is why the energy release is immediate.
Glucose would need several bonds to be broken down to release all its energy.
Explain further the function of ATP and how it can transfer energy to another molecule by transferring one of its phosphate groups.
ATP can enable phosphorylation, making other compounds more reactive. Glucose cannot do this, as it does not contain a phosphate group
Explain further the function of ATP and how it cannot pass out of the cell therefore the cell always has an immediate source of energy.
ATP cannot leave the cell however glucose can. This means that all cells have a constant supply of ATP or ADP + Pi, but a cell can run out of glucose.
