ATP

Question 1

What is ATP?

Answer 1

Important molecule involved in energy transfer within cells, often referred to as the ‘energy currency’ of the cell

Question 2

What is the structure of ATP?

Answer 2

• adenine nitrogenous base
• ribose
• 3 phosphate groups

Question 3

What are the uses of ATP in the body?

Answer 3

• movement e.g muscle contraction.
• active transport of molecules against the concentration gradient
• synthesis of large molecules e.g DNA and proteins
• secretion of substances from cells e.g hormones

Question 4

How is ATP broken down in a hydrolysis reaction to produce energy?

Answer 4

Water added to ATP breaking down into ADP and Pi

reaction is catalysed by enzyme ATP hydrolase and releases energy for use in cells

Question 5

How is ATP resynthesises in a condensation reaction to produce energy

Answer 5

Pi and ADP join releasing a water molecule

reactions catalysed by enzyme ATP synthase requiring energy and trapping chemical energy in the bond

Question 6

How do the properties of ATP relate to it’s function?

Answer 6

• ATP hydrolysis releases small amount of energy (little heat loss)
• ATP broken down in one step quickly
• ATP rapidly re-synthesised so ATP’s always readily available
• inorganic phosphate from ATP hydrolysis can phosphorylate other compounds making them more reactive
• bonds between phosphate groups are unstable having low activation energy and easily broken
• ATP is soluble so can easily be transported around cells