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ATP

Last updated 7 months ago
6 questions
Cells use chemical energy to do just about everything- to power chemical reactions, to build new molecules in order to survive, and to perform life processes.
Cells have a very specific energy source known as adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. When ATP is transformed into a compound called ADP, it releases energy that will be used by the cell. This is because chemical energy is stored in bonds, and a high energy bond is found in ATP. When that bond is broken, energy is released. A phosphate group is lost in the process, which transforms adenosine triphosphate into adenosine diphosphate.
In order for the outer phosphate bond to break, an enzyme called ATPase helps speed things up via hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is a mechanism in which a bond is broken by adding water (hydro=water; lysis=to break). Just as water was removed to create the bonds, it is added to break the bond.
This transformation is not permanent though. There is a cycle among ATP and ADP. The energy required to complete this cycle is supplied by cellular respiration, specifically energy from glucose molecules that you obtain from food.
1
Chemical energy that is used by cells is called _______.
1

Where is chemical energy stored?

1

Your muscles require energy to move your body, just as your cells require energy to grow. Where does the energy supplied to your muscles come from?

1

An adenosine triphosphate molecule is made up of 1 ribose molecule, 1 adenine molecule (that makes the adenosine), and 3 joined phosphate groups. What does the prefix “tri” mean?

1

Once the bond is broken and energy is released from ATP, how many phosphate groups are left? What is the name of this new molecule?

1

Which molecule has more potential energy, ATP or ADP?