ATP Flashcards
What are the components that make up a single ATP unit?
One ATP is made up of an adenine (nitrogen containing base), which bonds to a ribose sugar via a glycosidic bond. The ribose is also bonded to a phosphate via a phosphoester bond. ATP contains three phosphates in total, with each pair of phosphates connected by the high energy phosphoanhydride bonds.
In a catabolic reaction such as glycolysis, is ATP used or produced?
Catabolism reactions break down larger compounds into multiple smaller compounds. Catabolic reactions are involved with making ATP rather than using ATP. Some catabolic reactions produce ATP directly (e.g. glycolysis), while others are preparation steps for other metabolic processes that produce ATP (e.g. the electron transport chain).
In an anabolic reaction such as the assembly of a protein chain from individual amino acids, is ATP used or produce?
Anabolism reactions build larger compounds from multiple smaller compounds. Anabolic reactions are involved with using ATP rather than making ATP. Connecting multiple compounds together to make a larger compound will usually require ATP.
How much energy is released from ATP when one of its phosphoanhydride bonds (that connect the phosphates together) is broken and it becomes ADP? What can this energy be used for?
When one of the phosphoanhydride bonds of ATP is broken, a phosphate (Pi) is released along with 7.3 Kcal/mole of energy (ATP itself becomes ADP). The energy released from the bond breakage is used to power the cellular processes that keep the cell functioning and alive.
What would happen if our cells stopped making ATP?
If our cells stopped making ATP (their energy source), the cell would start to die. After enough cells die, organs would begin to fail, and the individual would die.
