ATP Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is ATP?
ATP is a nucleotide derivative as it’s a modified form of a nucleotide.
How is ATP a good source of energy?
Lots of energy is stored in the phosphate bonds. These bonds have a low activation energy meaning little energy is needed to be put in to break these bonds, so they are easily broken. Lots of energy is released when these bonds are broken.
How is ATP synthesised in respiration?
Plant and animal cells release energy from glucose in respiration.
However, a cell can’t get its energy directly from glucose so the energy released from glucose in respiration is used to combine adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and an inorganic phosphate ion (P.) to form Adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Which enzyme catalyses ATP synthesis?
ATP synthesis is catalysed by ATP synthase.
How is ATP hydrolysed?
ATP hydrolysis can be coupled to energy-requiring reactions in a cell.
The energy released can be used directly to make the coupled reaction happen, rather than being lost as heat.
Which processes does ATP supply energy for?
Active transport, muscle contraction, respiration, synthesis of macromolecules, activation of other molecules by phosphorylation.
Compare ATP as an energy store to glucose.
Each molecule of ATP releases a lot less energy than a molecule of glucose so energy can be released in much smaller, more manageable quantities. However, ATP cannot be stored.
