Energy in the Bonds of ATP

Instructions:

Read through the background information and procedurecarefully. Answer the pre-lab questions in the lab section of your notebook. AfterI’ve approved them (either this or next class period), you may begin the lab.

Background:

Energy

is the ability to do work.

Potential energy

is energy of position or stored energy, and it can be converted into

kinetic energy

. Kineticenergy is energy of motion.

Chemical bond energy

, a type of potential energy,is the energy stored in the bonds of molecular substances. In cellular respiration,cells produce chemical bond energy.Imagine that you are standing on the second floor of a building. You havepotential energy due to your position – and the taller the building, the greater thepotential energy you would have. You can convert it to kinetic energy all at onceby jumping to the floor below, or you can release it a little at a time by walkingdown the stairs. The problem is that the release of the chemical bond energy of carbohydrates ina cell must be done in a manner that does not destroy the cell during the process.In cells, potential energy in the chemical bonds of food is transferred to the bondsof a substance called

“adenosine triphosphate” (ATP).

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP):

Adenosine triphosphate

is the most commonenergy-storing molecule in the cell. ATP is constructed from a nucleotide called

adenine

and a sugar called

ribose

. Together, the adenine and ribose are calledadenosine. Adenosine triphosphate is called

tri

phosphate because of the threephosphates – the same molecule as in phospholipids – attached to the adenineand ribose.Adenine + Ribose Sugar + 3 Phosphates = A-P~P~P. Two other molecules in the cell are related to ATP:• Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) has two phosphate groups attached to it: A-P~P.• Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) has a single phosphate group: A-P.When organisms need energy, they split the third phosphate group off from ATPto form ADP and a single phosphate. The energy from that is used to power manycellular processes.

PROCEDURE

1. If not labeled, label the large wooden block with an A (adenosine).2. If not labeled, label each of the smaller three wooden blocks with a P(phosphate group).3. Use three rubber bands torepresent the chemical bondsholding the phosphates to the

QuickTimeª and adecompressorare needed to see this picture.

adenosine molecule. The first rubber band goes around the adenosine block andone phosphate group. The second goes around the adenosine and two phosphategroups. The third goes around the adenosine and all three phosphate groups.5. Cut the rubber bands with scissors to simulate the breaking of the bonds. Startwith the band encircling all three phosphate groups. Then cut the one circling twophosphate groups. Then finish with one circling one phosphate group.6. Measure the distances the rubber bands traveled, which represent the amountsof energy in the molecule. Record these results in cm on your results sheet.

Safety Note: The trajectory of a rubber band can be totally unpredictable. Be prepared! Keep safety glasses on at all times.

Pre-Lab Questions: Answer in the lab section of your notebook.

1. Which is displaying potential energy – an aluminum can sitting on a high shelf or an aluminum can falling to the ground? Which is displaying kinetic energy?Why?2. What does ATP stand for? What is its main function in the cell? How manyphosphate groups does it have?3. Write a mathematical equation representing ATP being converted to ADP.4. What do the rubber bands in the experiment represent? Which rubber band doyou expect will travel the greatest distance? Which will travel the least distance?WHY?5. Think of the analogy about a person jumping from a building versus a persongoing down the stairs. Which releases energy more quickly? What dangers doesthe quick release of energy bring? With that in mind, why might a cell want tobreak down carbohydrates into energy in steps rather than all at once?